Amazon opens first Abu Dhabi fulfilment centre with ADIO

Amazon has opened its first fulfilment centre in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The facility sits inside KEZAD, aims for faster deliveries including same-day on more products, and reserves significant capacity for third-party sellers using Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA). It also houses an Innovation Lab to test new logistics tech and reduce process times.

This is another major step for Amazon’s presence in the UAE, following projects like the Digital Arabic Library launch in Abu Dhabi.

What’s new for shoppers in the UAE

Amazon says the site is built to speed up deliveries and widen selection for customers across the country.

Same-day delivery available on a wider range of items
Location: Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD)
Abu Dhabi Customs support on streamlined clearance and trade facilitation
Around-the-clock operations to keep popular categories in stock
Storage capacity up to 8 million units

The centre is designed around automation and analytics to cut handling times. With customs processes aligned, inbound and outbound flows should move quicker, which helps more items qualify for faster delivery windows in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and beyond.

Storage covers more than 30 categories including home, kitchen, groceries, beauty and electronics. For shoppers, this should mean smoother deliveries during peak events such as Amazon Prime Day UAE 2025, when demand typically strains logistics.

Why this matters for SMEs and entrepreneurs

Nearly half of the facility is set aside for sellers using FBA, which plugs local brands and SMEs straight into Amazon’s storage, picking, packing and shipping network.

Dedicated FBA space to scale inventory
Tools and infrastructure for online sales growth
Access to millions of customers in the UAE
Support aligned with Abu Dhabi’s entrepreneurship agenda

For smaller businesses, the biggest win is operational: outsourcing fulfilment removes bottlenecks around storage, staffing and last-mile delivery. Sellers can send inventory into KEZAD, let Amazon handle the logistics and returns, and focus on product, pricing and marketing. The centre fits with Abu Dhabi’s push to build a stronger digital commerce ecosystem and help SMEs expand.

SMEs can also combine this with tools like Amazon Payment Services offering BNPL in the UAE and KSA, or AI-driven solutions such as Shahbandr AI’s free Arabic tools for online stores to drive growth. For those scaling storefronts, hosting platforms such as WP Engine’s enterprise WordPress in Dubai also play a role in keeping operations smooth.

Inside the Innovation Lab: fewer delays, smarter processes

The new site includes an on-prem Innovation Lab that trials and refines logistics tech and workflows.

Over 500 tests completed with a 93% success rate
Process lead times cut by 59% to date
Equipment includes 3D printers, package testing rigs and ergonomic tools
Analytics used to reduce consumption and support sustainability goals

Continuous testing lets teams validate packaging, workstation layout and task flows before rolling out changes on the floor. Cutting cycle times by more than half is a strong sign that the lab is doing real work, not theatre. The use of analytics to limit waste also points to lower costs per order over time.

Policy support and location advantages

The launch event brought together ADDED, ADIO, Abu Dhabi Customs and KEZAD leadership. The message is clear: public-private alignment is part of the plan.

ADIO frames the project as core to Abu Dhabi’s logistics and digital commerce agenda
Abu Dhabi Customs targets a smart, integrated ecosystem using advanced tech and data
KEZAD location offers industrial scale with proximity to ports, highways and air links

Policy signals matter in logistics. Customs digitisation and predictable clearance reduce friction for imports and returns. KEZAD’s infrastructure shortens hops between inbound freight and outbound last-mile routes. Put together, the stack should lower delivery variability and increase the share of items that qualify for same-day.

What happens next

Amazon says the centre will raise the bar on speed and selection while giving SMEs a path to scale. The long-term value depends on stable operations during peak events and how quickly more sellers move their inventory into KEZAD. If those fall into place, local shoppers should see more Prime-style speed on everyday products, not just headline deals. And with more local fulfilment capacity, even products like Amazon Kindle devices should reach UAE customers faster.