
KFED supports 10 Emirati SMEs to participate in Grains Africa 2025
NAIROBI, KENYA (ALETIHAD)The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) is supporting 10 Emirati SMEs to participate in Grains Africa 2025, a leading global event for advancing agriculture and food security, which will be held from August 21 to 23 in Nairobi, Kenya. These small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) supported by KFED are active in agriculture technology, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Their participation in the event aligns with KFED's efforts to drive the expansion of the national entrepreneurial ecosystem and catalyse development, particularly in key sectors.It further highlights KFED's strategic vision to promote innovation, empower SMEs and enhance the global competitive edge of Emirati enterprises, while advancing national goals such as Emiratisation across industries and supply chains, as well as export growth.
A Gateway to Promising Agricultural Markets Grains Africa 2025 serves as a gateway to promising agricultural markets, which are poised to reach a $1 trillion by 2030. The event is being held alongside AgroFood Plastpack Exhibition 2025, convening exhibitors from 16 countries, further underscoring its role in fostering international collaborations aimed at addressing critical challenges in the food sector and positively shaping the future of the agriculture sector. Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of KFED, said: 'This participation highlights our commitment to supporting Emirati startups and entrepreneurs, while enhancing their global competitiveness, and is in line with Khalifa Fund's vision to establish a sustainable business ecosystem, which will support long-term growth and economic diversification.'The UAE companies backed by KFED will showcase their innovative solutions at the event, including smart agriculture technologies designed to enhance productivity, value-added food manufacturing ventures and climate-conscious sustainable agriculture solutions. Some of the key exhibitors are East Gate, which specialises in bakery equipment; iPack, high-quality sterile cardboard provider; Printing Talk, which offers precision-printed packaging solutions for cafes and food companies; iPlast Industries, a pioneer in plastic pallets and innovative packaging solutions that cater to food and beverage manufacturers, particularly in filling lines; Samira Maatouk, a unique brand of premium Emirati coffee; Orion, which supplies advanced packaging products like films, liners, sleeves and bags tailored for the food and beverages industry; and Popular Popcorn, a family business offering healthy and premium popcorn varieties.KFED's participation in Grains Africa 2025 will enable UAE companies to expand into African markets, while strengthening local public-private integration. It further underscores the success of the Fund's 'SME Export Enablement Programme,' launched in 2025, which aims to equip SMEs with the tools and support necessary to enter international markets. Through expert advisory services, capacity building, and access to global trade platforms, the programme enhances the global competitiveness of UAE-based businesses and helps them identify and seize export opportunities. KFED's support for SMEs' participation in Grains Africa 2025 is part of the Fund's ongoing efforts to promote sustainable entrepreneurship and strengthen collaboration within one of the world's fastest-growing markets.
It also aligns with its strategy to support sustainable development goals (SDGs) and consolidate the UAE's position as a globally leading destination for industrial and agricultural innovation.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Al Etihad
KFED supports 10 Emirati SMEs to participate in Grains Africa 2025
21 Aug 2025 01:11 NAIROBI, KENYA (ALETIHAD)The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) is supporting 10 Emirati SMEs to participate in Grains Africa 2025, a leading global event for advancing agriculture and food security, which will be held from August 21 to 23 in Nairobi, Kenya. These small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) supported by KFED are active in agriculture technology, food security, and sustainable agriculture. Their participation in the event aligns with KFED's efforts to drive the expansion of the national entrepreneurial ecosystem and catalyse development, particularly in key further highlights KFED's strategic vision to promote innovation, empower SMEs and enhance the global competitive edge of Emirati enterprises, while advancing national goals such as Emiratisation across industries and supply chains, as well as export growth. A Gateway to Promising Agricultural Markets Grains Africa 2025 serves as a gateway to promising agricultural markets, which are poised to reach a $1 trillion by 2030. The event is being held alongside AgroFood Plastpack Exhibition 2025, convening exhibitors from 16 countries, further underscoring its role in fostering international collaborations aimed at addressing critical challenges in the food sector and positively shaping the future of the agriculture sector. Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of KFED, said: 'This participation highlights our commitment to supporting Emirati startups and entrepreneurs, while enhancing their global competitiveness, and is in line with Khalifa Fund's vision to establish a sustainable business ecosystem, which will support long-term growth and economic diversification.'The UAE companies backed by KFED will showcase their innovative solutions at the event, including smart agriculture technologies designed to enhance productivity, value-added food manufacturing ventures and climate-conscious sustainable agriculture solutions. Some of the key exhibitors are East Gate, which specialises in bakery equipment; iPack, high-quality sterile cardboard provider; Printing Talk, which offers precision-printed packaging solutions for cafes and food companies; iPlast Industries, a pioneer in plastic pallets and innovative packaging solutions that cater to food and beverage manufacturers, particularly in filling lines; Samira Maatouk, a unique brand of premium Emirati coffee; Orion, which supplies advanced packaging products like films, liners, sleeves and bags tailored for the food and beverages industry; and Popular Popcorn, a family business offering healthy and premium popcorn participation in Grains Africa 2025 will enable UAE companies to expand into African markets, while strengthening local public-private integration. It further underscores the success of the Fund's 'SME Export Enablement Programme,' launched in 2025, which aims to equip SMEs with the tools and support necessary to enter international markets. Through expert advisory services, capacity building, and access to global trade platforms, the programme enhances the global competitiveness of UAE-based businesses and helps them identify and seize export opportunities. KFED's support for SMEs' participation in Grains Africa 2025 is part of the Fund's ongoing efforts to promote sustainable entrepreneurship and strengthen collaboration within one of the world's fastest-growing markets. It also aligns with its strategy to support sustainable development goals (SDGs) and consolidate the UAE's position as a globally leading destination for industrial and agricultural innovation.


Al Etihad
3 hours ago
- Al Etihad
GEMS students shine in GCSEs, with over a quarter of entries securing top grades
21 Aug 2025 01:15 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)GEMS Education's British-curriculum schools on Wednesday celebrated outstanding GCSE success, with over 4,000 students from 23 schools across the UAE and Qatar sitting 28,227 examinations — the highest number in GEMS year's results continue a remarkable and sustained track record: for more than a decade, GEMS students have outshone the England national average at every major grade benchmark, a statement from the education group impressive 7,347 entries were awarded top-level grades of 9-8 or A* this year, accounting for 26% of all entries across the GEMS network. Meanwhile, 45% achieved 9-7 (A*-A), 65% attained 9-6 (A*-B), and 87% secured 9-4 (A*-C), improving by 4, 5, and 4 percentage points respectively compared to 2024 Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education, said, 'We are immensely proud of our students and their remarkable achievements in their GCSEs. These outcomes are a testament not only to their hard work and dedication, but also to the unwavering support of our talented teachers and committed school communities.'We believe in nurturing every learner to reach their full potential, and these results show just how far our young people can go when high expectations are combined with genuine care and personalised support from their school and family.'At Jumeirah College, which has a track record of academic excellence stretching back decades, a GEMS-topping 44% of the school's 180-strong cohort's entries were graded 9-8 (A*), with a near perfect 99% scoring 9-4 (A*-C). Similarly, at GEMS Wellington International School, a remarkable 42% of the school's close to 2,000 entries achieved grades of 9-8 (A*), with 96% securing 9-4 (A*-C).


Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Al Etihad
TAQA Distribution VP of Sustainability shares summer electricity-saving tips
21 Aug 2025 00:44 SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI) In an interview with Aletihad , Khaled Alkatheeri, Vice President of Sustainability at TAQA Distribution, shared electricity consumption tips for the peak summer months. Alkatheeri emphasised the importance of appliance efficiency ratings, saying, 'Appliance efficiency ratings such as the star ratings issued by Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) have a measurable effect on energy consumption. For example, a 4- or 5-star rated AC consumes on average 30% less electricity compared to a 1-star unit, while providing the same cooling output.'He pointed out that air conditioners remain UAE households' biggest culprits of energy waste during the hot months.'We recommend our customers to ensure that their ACs are maintained regularly, especially ahead of the summer.'Maintain ACs and clean filters, set thermostats to 23 or 24 degrees, increase by one degree when leaving the room, seal doors and windows, use curtains or shades, and educate family members and domestic helpers by visiting the Tarsheed website and our social media handles.'He also noted the incorrect use of ACs - including neglecting maintenance, setting ACs to low temperatures - waste energy, shorten AC lifespan and reduce encouraged residents to visit the Tarsheed website - a valuable resource for tips on water and electricity said, 'TAQA Distribution regularly publishes useful tips and recommendations on our social media channels to inform our customers… We encourage the customers to follow our social media channels and also engage in our campaigns.'Alkatheeri added that smart home technologies can further boost efficiency. 'Smart thermostats, for example, can be connected to mobile phones and offer capabilities such as AC remote control, programmable schedules, and temperature adjustments based on user location. If used properly, it will contribute to great electricity savings. Other helpful devices include smart lighting, smart plugs and smart power strips.'Sharing practical tips for families, Alkatheeri said: 'Read through and understand your bill issued by TAQA Distribution… analyse your consumption pattern over the last 12 months to see where the consumption has tips on the website include:Simple, impactful energy and water-saving habits that support sustainability at home. These include setting air conditioners to 24C, switching to LED lights and unplugging unused are encouraged to turn off taps while brushing teeth, shorten showers, use eco-cycles on appliances, check for leaks, run dishwashers only when full, as well as water gardens during cooler hours. Sustainability Summer Programme During the summer, TAQA Distribution offers incentive-based and educational Sustainability Summer Programme, which highlights the company's integrated approach to award-winning initiative aims to educate the youth and wider community on energy and water conservation.'We do what is right for our environment, community and people,' Alkatheeri said, noting that sustainability is embedded in the Abu Dhabi energy and utilities group's core values. A key example is the Sustainability Summer Programme, tailored to students aged 14 to 18 (grades 9 to 12), across Abu Dhabi, Al Dhafra and Al Ain. 'Last year, 61 students successfully completed the programme,' he said.'This initiative educates them on energy and water insights and conservation practices, as well as other informative segments.' This programme is not only educational, but also interactive. Towards the end of the course, participating youth are awarded certificates of completion and giveaways, which fosters engagement and recognition. Alkatheeri added: 'We are very proud and honoured that this initiative has won the Best Sustainability Initiative category at the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Business Leadership Awards 2025, organised by Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG), part of Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD).'