twofour54 – Abu Dhabi Media Zone

Overview

twofour54 is Abu Dhabi’s dedicated media and entertainment freezone, named after the geographic coordinates of Abu Dhabi (24.54). Established with backing from the Abu Dhabi government, it has grown into the region’s leading hub for film production, broadcast media, digital content, gaming, and creative services. The zone houses studios, post-production facilities, and co-working spaces designed specifically for media professionals.

Major international media organisations operate from twofour54, alongside a growing community of independent studios, production companies, and digital agencies. The freezone also runs training programmes and talent development initiatives.

Ideal For

twofour54 is built for media production companies, film and TV studios, advertising agencies, gaming developers, digital publishers, and creative technology firms. If your business sits within the media and entertainment value chain, twofour54 provides purpose-built infrastructure and an industry-specific ecosystem. It is also suitable for tech companies focused on content platforms or creative tools.

Setup Process

Registration generally takes 1 to 3 weeks. The process includes choosing your licence type (freelancer, commercial, or industrial), selecting permitted activities, submitting corporate documentation and passport copies, and signing your lease agreement. twofour54 provides onboarding support and can assist with visa processing, which adds 2 to 3 weeks.

Costs

First-year costs range from AED 15,000 to AED 35,000 depending on your licence category, office requirements, and visa count. Freelancer licences sit at the lower end, while full commercial licences with studio access are higher. This positions twofour54 in the mid-range: more expensive than SHAMS but significantly cheaper than DIFC. For broader cost insights, see our Best Freezone for E-commerce guide.

Pros and Cons

twofour54 offers a genuinely specialised media ecosystem backed by Abu Dhabi’s government resources. The creative industry infrastructure, including studios and post-production facilities, is unmatched in the region. Government backing brings stability and ongoing investment in the zone’s growth. Banking relationships are solid thanks to the authority’s reputation.

The limitations are its narrow activity scope: businesses outside media and creative fields will not find suitable licence categories. Abu Dhabi’s location means fewer casual networking opportunities compared to Dubai’s denser business community. Companies that want a Dubai presence should consider Dubai Media City as an alternative, while budget-conscious media freelancers may prefer SHAMS.

Related Freezones

SHAMS is the budget media alternative in Sharjah. Dubai Media City offers a similar media focus within Dubai. Masdar City suits tech companies in Abu Dhabi.