How to Improve Your ICV Score: 7 Proven Strategies for UAE Companies (2026)
Learn 7 proven ways to improve your ICV score in the UAE for 2026. Local procurement, Emiratisation, investment and audit tips from…
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In-Country Value
In Country Value Certificate (ICV) in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.
The In-Country Value certificate ranks your company in ADNOC, Abu Dhabi government and major UAE tenders. ZS assesses your score from audited figures, plans the improvements that move it, prepares the MoIAT template and coordinates certification until the certificate is issued.
Since 2018Certifying ICV in Abu Dhabi
+18 ptsTypical uplift after ZS review
FreeInitial ICV assessment
Sample certificate
What an ICV certificate looks like.
Every certificate issued under the National ICV Programme follows the same MoIAT format. This sample was issued under ICV version 3.0 with the company details removed. Here is what each part means for your tenders.
- 01ICV score
- The certified percentage, 70.04% in this sample. It is the number ADNOC and government buyers use to rank your bid, so every point counts.
- 02Certificate number and QR code
- A unique reference. Buyers scan the QR code to confirm the certificate is genuine and still valid on the national ICV platform.
- 03Issue date and valid until
- The certificate is time limited. Renewal has to be finished before the valid-until date, or you bid without a score.
- 04Financial year end
- The audited financial statements the score was calculated from. A better year on local spend and Emiratisation shows up on the next certificate.
- 05Company type and business
- SME or large company, service provider or manufacturer. This decides which formula and weightings apply to you.
- 06Agreed Upon Procedures
- Signed by your company and by the approved certification body that verified the figures, under the ICV version shown.
Key facts
- An ICV (In-Country Value) certificate is issued to a UAE licensed company by a MoIAT approved certifying body, based on its last audited financial statements.
- ADNOC, Abu Dhabi government entities and many large buyers weight tender evaluation on the ICV score, so a higher score directly improves win rate.
- Each certificate states its ICV score, certificate number, issue date, valid-until date and the financial year it is based on, and carries a QR code buyers scan to verify it.
- Certificates are renewed every year from the latest audited financial statements, so the score can be raised from one certificate to the next.
- The score is built from local goods and services spend, investment in UAE assets, Emiratisation and expatriate contribution, plus bonus points for exports and growth.
- ZS provides a free assessment, an improvement plan, the completed MoIAT template and coordination with the certifying body.
Integrate your ICV certificate in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with ZS Chartered Accountants
Whether your company is based in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or a free zone, ZS completes your ICV certificate requirements and ICV audit with one team. We advise on ICV certificate cost, assessment and compliance, then take you through every step of getting the certificate.
What is an ICV certificate?
The In-Country Value (ICV) programme was launched by ADNOC in 2018 and expanded to a federal programme under the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) in 2020. It measures how much of a company's spending, investment and employment stays inside the UAE, and expresses that as a percentage: the ICV score. A certified score is now a standard requirement in ADNOC, Abu Dhabi government, Mubadala, EDGE, Etihad and many semi government procurement processes, and increasingly in the private sector.
The certificate is issued by an approved certifying body, not by ZS or MoIAT directly. Our role is to make sure the figures submitted are complete, correctly classified and supported, and that your company has taken every legitimate step to raise the score before the numbers are locked.
Who needs an ICV certificate in the UAE?
- Suppliers and contractors bidding for ADNOC group companies and their major contractors
- Companies tendering to Abu Dhabi government entities and federal bodies that have adopted the programme
- Subcontractors asked for a certificate by a main contractor who needs to report its own ICV
- Free zone and mainland companies of any size, including SMEs, that want a scored advantage in commercial bids
Companies without a certificate are usually scored at zero for ICV, which is often the difference between winning and losing a technically equal bid.
How the ICV score is calculated
The score is calculated from your last audited financial statements using the MoIAT ICV template. The main components are:
| Component | What counts |
|---|---|
| Goods manufactured / third party spend | Cost of goods manufactured in the UAE, and spend on UAE suppliers weighted by each supplier's own ICV score |
| Investment | Net book value of assets held in the UAE |
| Emiratisation | Salaries, benefits and training of UAE nationals |
| Expatriate contribution | Salaries and benefits of expatriate employees based in the UAE |
| Bonus | Revenue from outside the UAE, growth in investment and growth in Emirati headcount |
Weightings differ between goods manufacturers and service providers. Use our free ICV calculator for an indicative score, then book a free assessment for an exact figure.
What ZS does for you
1. Free ICV assessment
We review your audited financial statements and supplier ledger and estimate your current score. You leave the first meeting knowing where you stand and what a realistic target looks like.
2. Score improvement plan
Most companies leave points on the table. The fastest wins are usually collecting ICV certificates from existing UAE suppliers, reclassifying local spend that is being recorded as foreign, and capturing training and benefit costs for Emirati staff. We give you a written plan ranked by impact and effort.
3. Template preparation and submission
We complete the MoIAT ICV template, reconcile every figure to the audited accounts and prepare the supporting schedules the certifying body will ask for. This is where most self prepared submissions fail or stall.
4. Certification and renewal
We coordinate with the approved certifying body, answer their queries and stay involved until the certificate is issued. We then diarise your renewal so the certificate never lapses in the middle of a tender.
ICV certification and the right auditor
A smooth ICV certification depends on audited financial statements your certifying body can rely on. Your auditor has to follow international auditing standards, and the accounts must classify local spend, assets and payroll in a way that maps cleanly to the ICV template. ZS prepares audited accounts with ICV in mind, so certification can start as soon as the audit is signed. Manufacturers, traders, service providers and free zone companies across the UAE are all eligible.
ICV certificate cost and timeline
Certifying body fees depend on company size and are paid directly to the certifying body. ZS quotes a fixed consultancy fee after the free assessment. A first time certification typically takes two to four weeks from receipt of audited financial statements, faster on renewal.
Why choose ZS for ICV certification in Abu Dhabi
- ICV is our most requested service and we have supported certifications every year since the programme began
- We also perform the external audit, so the financial statements are prepared with ICV in mind
- Office in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, serving clients across Dubai and the Northern Emirates
- Fixed fee, direct access to the consultant, first hour free
What is included
What the service covers.
ICV assessment
Score estimate from your audited financials before you commit to anything.
Score improvement plan
Ranked actions on supplier certificates, local spend, Emiratisation and investment.
MoIAT template
Completed template, reconciled to audited accounts, with supporting schedules.
Certifying body coordination
We handle queries and follow up until the certificate is issued.
Annual renewal
Reminders and re-certification so the certificate never lapses mid tender.
Supplier outreach
Templates to collect ICV certificates from your UAE suppliers, the fastest score win.
How it works
From first call to done.
STEP 01
Share audited accounts
Send your latest audited financial statements and supplier list. We sign an NDA on request.
STEP 02
Assessment and plan
Within five business days you receive an estimated score and an improvement plan.
STEP 03
Template and submission
We prepare the MoIAT template and submit to the certifying body of your choice.
STEP 04
Certificate issued
Queries answered, certificate received, renewal date diarised.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the ICV certificate.
Anything else, message us on WhatsApp and a consultant replies during office hours.
How long is an ICV certificate valid?
Every certificate shows an issue date and a valid-until date printed on it, and it is renewed each year from the latest audited financial statements. Start the renewal well before the valid-until date so there is no gap while a tender is open.
What does an ICV certificate show?
The certified ICV score, certificate number, issue and valid-until dates, the financial year end it is based on, company type and business activity, the ICV methodology version, signatures of the supplier and the certification body, and a QR code to verify it.
Can a new company get an ICV certificate?
Yes, although the route depends on how long the company has been trading and which financial statements are available. We confirm what the certifying body will accept for your case in the free assessment.
What is a good ICV score?
It depends on the sector. Service companies commonly certify between 30% and 60%. Manufacturers with UAE facilities can exceed 70%. In most tenders the score is compared against competing bidders, so any improvement helps.
Does ZS issue the certificate?
No. Certificates are issued only by MoIAT approved certifying bodies. ZS prepares the submission, improves the score and manages the process with the certifying body.
Do free zone companies qualify?
Yes. Any company holding a valid UAE trade licence, mainland or free zone, can be certified.
What documents are needed for an ICV certificate?
Audited financial statements, a supplier ledger with evidence of local spend, the fixed asset register, payroll records showing Emirati and expatriate staff costs, and the trade licence. ZS gives you a checklist and reconciles every figure before submission.
How long does ICV certification take?
Usually a few weeks from receipt of audited financial statements, depending on how complex the operations and records are. Renewals are faster because the file is already in place.
Ready when you are. First hour free.
Tell us what you need and a consultant replies within one business day with a fixed quote.
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