Audit & Assurance

ICV scores that
actually win tenders.

In-Country Value (ICV) certification audits for ADNOC suppliers and other major UAE buyers. Score optimisation guidance included.

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What ICV certification does

The In-Country Value (ICV) programme requires UAE suppliers to demonstrate their contribution to the UAE economy through Emiratisation, local procurement, investment and Emirati ownership. ADNOC was the first to mandate ICV certificates for its suppliers; many other UAE buyers now follow the same scheme.

The ICV score has a direct material impact on tender evaluation — often worth several percentage points on the final scoring. A higher score wins more work.

What we do

  • Pre-certification advisory — analyse your current operations and identify what's contributing to or hurting your score
  • Score optimisation — practical, audit-defensible changes to improve the score before certification
  • ICV certification audit — independent audit per the ICV scoring methodology with the official certificate issued
  • Annual recertification — typically required annually; we manage the process

Who needs it

Any business bidding for ADNOC contracts, EmiratesGBC contracts, ADIPEC contracts, certain Dubai government tenders and a growing list of large private sector buyers in the UAE. If you sell to enterprise UAE customers, ICV certification is increasingly required.

ICV framework

What ICV means
for UAE suppliers.

The In-Country Value (ICV) Programme was launched by ADNOC in 2018 and is now used across Emirates Group, ADQ, AD Ports, Mubadala, EGA and other major UAE buyers as a procurement evaluation criterion. Your ICV score directly affects your competitiveness when tendering for contracts with these buyers — a higher ICV score can be the deciding factor between winning and losing.

How the score is calculated

ICV is calculated as a weighted score across multiple dimensions: goods and services sourced from UAE suppliers (heaviest weight), UAE-based investments, Emiratisation (UAE nationals as % of workforce), expat workforce in the UAE, and contribution to UAE growth. The score is expressed as a percentage and certified annually.

Why an approved certifier matters

ICV scores can only be certified by auditors specifically approved by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT) — the body that now administers the unified ICV programme across UAE government and government-linked entities. The certification follows the ICV Programme Guidelines and is issued in a standardised format that buyers can validate.

Our ICV process

From audit kick-off to
certificate in 3–4 weeks.

Eligibility check and engagement

We confirm your eligibility, agree the audit period (usually the most recent audited financial year), and issue the engagement letter.

Data collection

We work with your finance and HR teams to collect supplier spend data, payroll records (split by nationality), investment data, and fixed asset registers.

Calculation and validation

We compute the ICV score using the MoIAT methodology. Supplier classifications validated against the official supplier database. Payroll data tested.

Certification

Final ICV certificate issued in MoIAT-approved format, ready for submission to ADNOC, Emirates, ADQ and other buyer portals. We provide guidance on score improvement for the next cycle.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

Who needs ICV certification?+
Any business that wants to supply ADNOC, Emirates Group, ADQ, AD Ports, EGA, Mubadala or other major UAE government / government-linked buyers should obtain ICV certification. Many of these buyers now require a minimum ICV score for vendor registration.
How is the ICV score calculated?+
ICV is calculated as a weighted score combining: UAE supplier spend, investments in the UAE, Emiratisation percentage, expat workforce in the UAE, and contributions to UAE growth. The final score is expressed as a percentage. Methodology is set by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT).
How long is an ICV certificate valid?+
ICV certificates are typically valid for 12 months from the date of issue, after which a new certification is required based on the latest audited financial statements.
Can I improve my ICV score?+
Yes. Common strategies include: increasing local supplier spend, hiring more UAE nationals (Emiratisation), making capital investments in the UAE, and structuring overseas spend through UAE intermediaries. We provide post-certification advisory on improvement strategies.
Is ICV the same as Tawteen or Emiratisation?+
No — they overlap but are distinct. Tawteen is a workforce nationalisation policy. Emiratisation is one of the components used in calculating the ICV score, but ICV also covers spend, investment and other factors.
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