Sharjah Media City (Shams) has publicly confirmed that its active company count has exceeded 23,000, with licence holders representing 171 nationalities. The free zone also reported an 81.6% increase in licence renewals between 2022 and 2025 — a metric its Director General, Rashid Abdalla Al Obad, highlighted as the clearest evidence of community retention rather than just headline growth. These figures were shared publicly in September 2026 by the Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council.
Founded in 2017 as a media-focused free zone, Shams has broadened its scope considerably. Its stated ecosystem now spans business setup, content creation, technology, artificial intelligence, talent development, and strategic partnerships. The free zone is actively pursuing international alliances and infrastructure investment — including a recently announced production hub with Origo Studios and an AI-powered business setup platform called Bedaya — with the declared aim of positioning Sharjah as a regional hub for media, content, and the creative economy.
The renewal rate figure deserves particular attention. A free zone can attract new registrations through competitive pricing alone, but an 81.6% rise in renewals over three years indicates that a meaningful proportion of existing licensees are choosing to stay and operate, not simply register and park. This distinction matters when founders are evaluating whether a free zone will have the service infrastructure and peer ecosystem to support an active business.
What this means for our clients
Shams continues to be one of the more cost-accessible UAE free zones for solo founders, small creative studios, digital media businesses, and technology consultancies. The expanding focus on AI, audiovisual production, and creative entrepreneurship makes it a plausible option beyond strictly media-defined activities. That said, activity lists, visa allocation per licence, and annual fee structures vary by package — and none of those specifics are captured in the growth announcement itself. Founders should verify current fee schedules and permitted activities directly before committing.
The leadership's stated direction for the next phase — attracting global companies, deepening production infrastructure, and forming international partnerships — suggests the free zone intends to move upmarket alongside its existing base. For founders already licensed at Shams, this could mean improved facilities and ecosystem value over the coming years. For those evaluating entry, it is worth understanding how the zone's evolving focus aligns with your actual business activity.
- Confirm that your intended business activity falls within Shams' current permitted activity list before initiating an application — the zone has expanded beyond pure media, but not all categories are covered.
- Request a current fee schedule: licence costs, visa allocation per package, and any establishment or registration fees. Do not rely on third-party figures, which date quickly.
- If you are comparing Shams with other Sharjah or UAE free zones, ask specifically about visa quotas per licence — this varies significantly between zones and packages.
- If you are already a Shams licensee approaching renewal, note that the 81.6% renewal-rate figure reflects a broad community trend; your own renewal terms should be confirmed with Shams directly well ahead of your expiry date.
- Factor in the zone's AI and production infrastructure developments when assessing long-term fit — if your business intersects with content, media tech, or digital production, the roadmap is relevant to your decision.
For the full announcement, see the source article on the Shams website at shams.ae. If you would like to compare Shams against other free zones for your specific activity and headcount, our team at Sirius Consulting is available for a structured consultation.