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Dubai nurtures a thriving tech ecosystem, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation in technology and ICT (Information and Communications Technology). With its commitment to initiatives like the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), the city aims to become a premier hub for tech companies by 2033. Dubai's strategic positioning as a gateway to emerging markets in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa with a combined GDP of US$7.7 trillion (AED28.28 trillion) offers easy access to high-potential economies.
As the region’s preferred innovation hub, Dubai is home to more than 2,300 technology companies. Digital and tech firms can test and market new products and technologies thanks to initiatives like Sandbox Dubai, a founder-focused start-up programme launched under D33. The sector is enhanced by the presence of global players like Meta, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Apple, Cisco, Tata Consultancy Services and Amazon. The Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy aims to further strengthen this dynamic ecosystem by attracting 300 new start-ups to the city by 2024.
The Dubai Future Foundation initiative, with its focus on driving innovation, nurturing futuristic projects and advancing technological progress to mould the city's future, acts as a platform facilitating various initiatives such as Dubai Future Labs, the Dubai Robotics and Automation Programme and Dubai 10X.
The ICT sector has witnessed strong year-on-year growth, showcasing the telecommunications market’s incredible potential for foreign companies and investors. ICT spending in the UAE is driven by increasing digitalisation and the adoption of leading technologies such as cloud, big data analytics, the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). Leading national telecom companies Etisalat and Du are investing in research and development to provide world-class, 5G-enabled services. Companies operating here can leverage world-class infrastructure powered by 4,000 km of fibre optic cables and a smart grid to offer customers 24/7 integrated, connected and secure digital services.
Dubai's journey towards digitalisation began over two decades ago, marked by pioneering e-government initiatives such as the Smart Government programme. Since then, the city has embarked on a comprehensive digital transformation, eliminating paper transactions since 2021.This evolution has been fueled by strategic government initiatives to drive technological adoption and innovation.
Dubai has the largest data centre ecosystem in the UAE, with 18 colocation data centers, 237 cloud service providers and 18 network fabric providers. The rapid adoption of cloud technology is projected to contribute an estimated $181 billion (AED664.79 billion) in economic value to the UAE over the next decade. Global players such as Equinix are expanding their presence, with SAP, AWS and Microsoft already operating data centres in the city.
Dubai operates under a civil law jurisdiction, boasting a standalone legal system managed by the DIFC Courts. Considerations underway to implement a common law framework across various free zones, further streamlining legal processes for tech enterprises.
The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) oversees financial services within the region, including anti-money laundering measures. Additionally, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) vigilantly regulates virtual assets, ensuring a secure and transparent marketplace.
Initiatives such as RegLab and Sandbox Dubai offer agile regulatory environments tailored for testing and commercializing emerging technologies.
Dubai boasts a robust intellectual property ecosystem. These safeguards guarantee comprehensive protection for creators and innovators, encouraging investment in groundbreaking ideas and driving the cycle of innovation forward.
Dubai fosters a vibrant tech ecosystem, propelling advancements across various sectors. The city solidifies its regional fintech leadership, with DIFC-based companies attracting over US$615 million (AED2.26 billion) in 2022, marking it the fastest-growing industry. Projections indicate UAE fintech funding will reach US$2.8 billion (AED10.28 billion) by 2028, offering lucrative opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs.
Dubai ranks amongst the top 15 cities worldwide when it comes to its tech workforce, thanks to strong infrastructure, attractive salaries and availability of tech jobs. It also leads the Arab world for talent competitiveness, providing a dynamic workforce for both homegrown and global tech firms to leverage. Training talent for the jobs of the future is one of the key objectives of The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031.