SAMIHAH ZAMAN (ABU DHABI)

ADNOC has channelled billions of dirhams into the UAE economy over the past eight years through its In-Country Value (ICV) programme. The next phase of the initiative, with Dh60 billion in unveiled opportunities, will extend economic benefits well beyond the oil and gas sector, a top official has said.

“ADNOC’s ICV programme was launched eight years ago in 2018. Today, we're celebrating key achievements: (by) the end of 2025, we redirected more than Dh307 billion into the economy that resulted (in the local development of over) 130 critical products, as well as 95 manufacturing facilities to date,” Omar Abdulla Alnuaimi, ADNOC Group Chief, Commercial and In-Country Value, told Aletihad during an interview on the sidelines of ADIPEC.

“This ICV programme is bringing value to the local economy by enabling the engineering and manufacturing of critical parts. There is also the human capital aspect to it - in the engineering and manufacturing of these critical parts that are used either in projects or in operations - as well as the surrounding enabling ecosystem that also provides jobs and opportunities for local talent. (So) don’t look at the value strictly in oil and gas as an industry, as it extends beyond this, helping diversify (the UAE economy),” he said.

 

ADNOC's ICV programme is a procurement-driven initiative that enables suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers to flourish within the UAE’s economy. Its focus on local production has ensured private sector employment opportunities for more than 27,500 Emiratis. It has also been key to the UAE’s competitiveness and supply chain resilience amid shifting geopolitical scenarios.


“I can tell you today – given the current geopolitical situation that we're in – ADNOC has managed to continue producing energy to the world and supplying the world with ADNOC products, and that's not only thanks to the resilience that ADNOC has established, but also, the resilience of our supply chain, and I think a key enabler for that was the ICV programme,” Alnuaimi said.

ADNOC last week announced updates to its ICV programme at the 2nd Make It With ADNOC Forum, including simplified supplier registration and prequalification procedures.

The announced opportunities are expected to help localise the engineering and manufacturing of 200 more products, including critical spare parts that support ADNOC projects and operations. Many of these are currently imported, so manufacturing them in the UAE will shorten lead times and reduce exposure to global supply disruptions.

“While we specifically focus on oil and gas equipment and spares, as well as materials that are used in our projects, we have large major engineering, procurement and construction projects and contracts as well. The programme bolsters the ecosystems that go around these products, whether it’s logistics, materials, or consumables,” Alnuaimi explained.

For suppliers, the redesigned ICV registration process has halved the number of documents that have to be submitted, while also eliminating pre-qualification requirements in 60% of service categories. A single window now handles registration, qualification and compliance, with AI capabilities supporting quicker document verification

“We are becoming more agile and resilient…The UAE also has a very progressive AI ecosystem that (can be leveraged by) local manufacturers, bringing for them economies of scale and competitive advantages,” Alnuaimi said.