Dubai CommerCity is hosting WORLDEF Dubai 2026, the second edition of the global digital commerce forum designed to connect industry leaders, technology providers, and policymakers to shape the future of e-commerce and cross-border digital trade. The event returns to the MENA region's first dedicated e-commerce free zone, building on the momentum of its successful inaugural edition and Dubai's accelerating position as a global gateway for digital commerce connecting Asian manufacturers, European brands, and African consumers through the most advanced logistics infrastructure in the Middle East.
WORLDEF (World E-Commerce Forum) operates across multiple global editions — Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Nairobi, and Dubai — positioning its Dubai edition as the gateway between East and West for digital trade.
WORLDEF Dubai 2026 — Second Edition
Global digital commerce leaders gather at Dubai CommerCity, the MENA region's first dedicated e-commerce free zone, to shape the future of cross-border digital trade
Dubai CommerCity: The Region's E-Commerce Hub
Dubai CommerCity is a purpose-built free zone dedicated entirely to e-commerce, launched by the Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (DAFZA) and Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ). Spanning over 2.2 million square feet near Dubai International Airport, CommerCity provides integrated logistics, warehousing, office space, and regulatory infrastructure specifically designed for digital commerce businesses.
The free zone's strategic location — minutes from Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the world's busiest cargo hubs, and connected to Jebel Ali Port, the largest port in the Middle East — gives e-commerce companies a logistical advantage that few locations globally can match. Goods can reach 2 billion consumers within a 4-hour flight radius, making Dubai the natural fulfillment center for cross-border commerce spanning the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia.
Key Themes for 2026
The second edition of WORLDEF Dubai is structured around the most pressing challenges and opportunities in global digital commerce:
AI-Powered Supply Chain
How artificial intelligence is transforming demand forecasting, inventory management, last-mile delivery optimization, and returns processing — reducing costs while improving delivery speed and customer satisfaction
Crypto Payments in Retail
Dubai has emerged as a global leader in cryptocurrency adoption, with Emirates Airlines, Dubai Duty Free, and hundreds of retail outlets accepting crypto payments. WORLDEF examines the infrastructure, regulation, and consumer adoption driving this trend
Cross-Border Trade Harmonization
How GCC nations are harmonizing digital trade regulations, customs procedures, and consumer protection frameworks to create a unified digital market serving 60+ million consumers
Social Commerce in MENA
The explosive growth of shopping through Instagram, TikTok Shop, and WhatsApp Business across the Arab world, where social commerce is growing faster than traditional e-commerce in many markets
Dubai's Digital Commerce Landscape
Dubai's e-commerce ecosystem has grown rapidly, driven by high smartphone penetration (96%+), one of the world's highest per-capita internet usage rates, a young and digitally savvy population, and government policies that actively encourage digital business. The UAE's e-commerce market exceeded $8 billion in 2025 and continues to grow at double-digit rates.
The government's push toward 90% cashless transactions by 2026 — driven by the Dubai Cashless Strategy and the rapid adoption of digital wallets and contactless payments — has created a consumer base that is ready for seamless digital commerce. The UAE Central Bank's digital dirham initiative and the growing acceptance of cryptocurrency payments further expand the palette of digital payment options available to consumers and merchants.
"Dubai is uniquely positioned at the crossroads of global digital commerce. Our logistics infrastructure, regulatory framework, and consumer readiness create an environment where e-commerce businesses can scale faster than almost anywhere else in the world."
— Dubai CommerCity leadership
The Logistics Advantage
What makes Dubai compelling for digital commerce is not just its consumer market but its logistics infrastructure. Dubai is the only city in the world with a major international airport, the region's largest seaport, a world-class road network, and a regulatory environment that supports same-day and next-day delivery across the GCC — all within a single metropolitan area.
Dubai's Digital Commerce Infrastructure
- Dubai International Airport (DXB): One of the world's busiest cargo hubs, handling millions of tonnes of freight annually
- Jebel Ali Port: The largest port in the Middle East and one of the top 10 globally, with direct connections to 150+ ports worldwide
- Dubai CommerCity: 2.2M+ sq ft dedicated e-commerce free zone with integrated logistics, warehousing, and fulfillment
- Dubai South Logistics District: 550+ hectares of logistics infrastructure adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport
- 90% cashless target: Government strategy driving digital payment adoption across all commerce channels
- Crypto-friendly regulation: VARA (Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority) providing clear frameworks for crypto commerce
- 4-hour flight radius: Access to 2 billion consumers across MENA, South Asia, and East Africa
What WORLDEF Means for E-Commerce Entrepreneurs
For e-commerce entrepreneurs and digital commerce professionals, WORLDEF Dubai offers access to a concentrated ecosystem of knowledge, partnerships, and opportunities. Attendees gain exposure to the latest technologies transforming digital commerce, make connections with potential partners and investors, and learn from case studies of successful cross-border e-commerce operations based in Dubai.
The forum is particularly valuable for businesses looking to expand into the MENA region — the world's fastest-growing e-commerce market — where Dubai serves as the natural entry point. The combination of free zone benefits (100% foreign ownership, zero income tax, simplified customs), world-class logistics, and a regulatory environment designed for digital business makes Dubai an increasingly compelling base for e-commerce operations targeting the wider Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
WORLDEF Dubai 2026 is expected to build significantly on the first edition, with expanded participation, deeper programming, and more focused B2B matchmaking — all hosted in the purpose-built environment of Dubai CommerCity, where the future of digital commerce is not just discussed but actively being built.
