In-Country Value (ICV)

In-Country Value (ICV) is the UAE's mandatory local content programme, applied across ADNOC and Abu Dhabi government procurement, that measures how much economic value a supplier generates within the UAE and converts that into a score that affects both eligibility and contract evaluation.

What is In-Country Value (ICV)?

ICV was introduced in the UAE to ensure that large government and state-owned enterprise procurement translates into tangible economic benefit inside the country, rather than flowing entirely to foreign inputs and labour. Under ADNOC's programme, which has driven USD 242 billion into the UAE economy since 2018, every supplier is required to obtain an ICV certificate. The certificate is issued by an approved certifying body and scores the supplier on dimensions including local procurement of goods and services, the proportion of UAE nationals and UAE-based employees in the workforce, capital investments made inside the country, and research and development activity.

The ICV score creates a quantifiable competitive advantage metric. Suppliers with higher certified ICV scores receive preferential treatment in bid evaluation, meaning a firm with a strong local-content profile can offset a higher unit cost. For a foreign firm seeking to supply ADNOC, the practical requirements include registering on the ADNOC Supplier Hub at supplierhub.adnoc.ae, obtaining the relevant ICV certificate, and budgeting for associated compliance costs that include Supreme Petroleum Council approval fees, ICV certification fees, and applicable ISO certification.

ADNOC announced USD 32.6 billion in procurement in 2025 alone, with a USD 55 billion capital expenditure plan committed for 2026 to 2028, making ICV compliance a gateway to one of the largest concentrated procurement programmes in the world.

Why ICV matters for bidders

ICV is non-negotiable for ADNOC supplier access. A firm that arrives at prequalification without a valid ICV certificate cannot progress, regardless of its technical capability or commercial terms. The lead time for registration, document gathering, and certification means that a foreign firm should begin the ICV process several months before it intends to bid. The score also needs to be actively managed over time, because a supplier that grows its UAE workforce or local procurement can improve its score and its competitive position in subsequent tenders.

Example

A European industrial services company targeting ADNOC's USD 17.9 billion first-half 2025 procurement wave begins by registering on the ADNOC Supplier Hub. It engages an approved certifying body to assess and certify its ICV score based on its UAE-based employees, locally sourced equipment, and facility investments in Abu Dhabi. That certificate is then submitted alongside its prequalification documents, unlocking the firm's entry into ADNOC's approved vendor pool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ICV the same as IKTVA?

No. ICV is the UAE's (specifically ADNOC's and Abu Dhabi government's) local content programme. iktva is Saudi Aramco's equivalent programme in Saudi Arabia. Both measure local economic contribution but are administered separately and have different scoring criteria.

Who issues ICV certificates in the UAE?

ICV certificates are issued by approved certifying bodies authorised by the UAE government. The certifying body audits the supplier's financials and operations against the ICV criteria before issuing the score.

Does ICV apply only to ADNOC or to all UAE procurement?

The ICV programme applies broadly across Abu Dhabi government entities and ADNOC Group companies. Other UAE emirates have their own procurement policies, but the ICV certification issued by Abu Dhabi's approved bodies is the standard for ADNOC-related supply chains.