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Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Business
- Gulf Insider
UAE Tops 2025 Global Digital Rankings
The UAE has reinforced its position as a global leader in digital transformation, achieving top rankings in multiple international indices and setting new benchmarks for technology-driven growth. According to the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, the UAE ranked first globally in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index with a perfect score of 100 percent, reflecting the extensive reach and efficiency of its digital networks. In mobile internet performance, the UAE maintained its number one global ranking in the Speedtest Global Index from July 2024 to June 2025, with an average download speed of 546.14 Mbps in June — far ahead of its closest competitors. In 2024, UAE government entities completed 173.7m digital transactions, serving more than 57m beneficiaries across 1,419 digital services, achieving a 91 per cent satisfaction rate. The UAE's smart city credentials also climbed to global prominence in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, with Dubai ranked fourth worldwide and Abu Dhabi fifth, reflecting significant advances in infrastructure, digital services, and quality of life. The country topped the Middle East in the Government AI Readiness Index 2024, issued by Oxford Insights, measuring government efficiency, technology sector growth, and infrastructure readiness. According to the Interregional Centre for Strategic Analysis in Abu Dhabi, the UAE is on track to lead the region in AI adoption, powered by targeted investments in research, skills, and innovation. Industry experts say the UAE has moved beyond simply adopting technology to creating human-centred digital experiences. Rasha Abdo of Infobip praised the Dubai Government's 360 Services policy, which integrates proactive, people-first service delivery. Amjad Al Sabbagh of Sprinklr added that the United Arab Emirates' approach aligns with its goal to double the digital economy's GDP contribution by 2030, with AI projected to add 13.6 per cent to GDP (around $100bn) — a key driver of economic diversification and sustainable growth. With unmatched infrastructure, world-leading internet speeds, and a people-first innovation strategy, the United Arab Emirates is positioning itself not just as a regional technology hub, but as a global model for digital excellence and AI readiness. Also read: Kuwait Announces New Visa for Expats in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman
Sharjah 24
2 days ago
- Business
- Sharjah 24
UAE strengthens global leadership in digital innovation and AI
People-centric transformation approach Both public and private sectors are implementing policies that center on people—recognising them as both the drivers and beneficiaries of digital progress. Numerous international reports highlight the UAE's rapid advancement in digitalisation and its top rankings in major global indices. Global recognition in digital infrastructure According to the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, the UAE ranked first globally in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index, with a perfect score of 100%, underscoring the robustness and efficiency of its digital infrastructure. World-leading mobile internet speed In the Speedtest Global Index by Ookla, the UAE held the top global position for mobile internet speed from July 2024 to June 2025. In June 2025 alone, it recorded an average download speed of 546.14 Mbps, outpacing all other countries. Milestone achievements in government digital services In 2024, the UAE government successfully completed 173.7 million digital transactions. Over 57 million beneficiaries accessed 1,419 digital services, with a 91% satisfaction rate, reflecting the effectiveness and reach of its digital government services. Smart City success in global rankings In the IMD Smart City Index 2025, Dubai ranked 4th globally and 1st in the Arab world, while Abu Dhabi ranked 5th globally. These rankings highlight the UAE's commitment to smart infrastructure and improving quality of life. AI leadership in the region The UAE also topped the Government AI Readiness Index 2024 for the MENA region, issued by Oxford Insights, placing it ahead of 193 countries. This ranking acknowledges government efficiency, data availability, and tech sector development. Strategic investments in AI and innovation The Interregional Centre for Strategic Analysis in Abu Dhabi emphasised the UAE's progress toward AI leadership, thanks to focused investments in research, skills development, and innovation. Expert insights: UAE as a global model According to experts interviewed by Emirates News Agency (WAM), the UAE has not only led the region but emerged as a global model in comprehensive digital transformation. Industry perspectives on digital excellence Rasha Abdo, Director at Infobip, highlighted the UAE's perfect score in the Telecommunications Index as evidence of its strong digital foundation. She praised initiatives like Dubai's 360 Services policy for enhancing proactive, people-first services across sectors. Abdo added that both government and private sectors are leveraging AI and automation to redefine digital service delivery, especially in banking, retail, and healthcare. Human-centered digital innovation Amjad Al Sabbagh, VP at Sprinklr, noted that the UAE's digital ecosystem now goes beyond technology adoption to delivering personalised user experiences. He emphasised the country's forward-thinking approach that anticipates user needs and focuses on human-centric innovation. Vision for the future: Economic impact of AI Al Sabbagh also pointed to the UAE's plan to double the digital economy's GDP contribution by 2030. With AI projected to contribute 13.6% to GDP (US$100 billion), the nation is well-positioned to achieve its goals of economic diversification and sustainable innovation.
Gulf Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE maintains global lead in digital transformation
The UAE continues to strengthen its leading position on the global digital transformation map, driven by a forward-looking vision and ambitious national policies that have made digital innovation a cornerstone of sustainable development and economic competitiveness. Public and private institutions are adopting policies that place people first, viewing them as both the beneficiaries and leaders of the transformation process. Numerous international reports highlight the country's rapid progress in this field and its top rankings in prestigious global indices, reinforcing its regional and global leadership in modern technology and smart transformation. According to the United Nations E-Government Survey 2024, the UAE ranked first globally in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index, achieving a full score of 100 percent. This reflects the extensive reach and high efficiency of digital networks, underscoring the maturity of the country's digital infrastructure. As per the Speedtest Global Index issued by global company Ookla, the UAE has maintained its first-place ranking worldwide for mobile internet speed from July 2024 to June 2025. In the latest update for June, the UAE recorded an average download speed of 546.14 megabits per second, significantly ahead of its nearest global competitors. In 2024, the UAE Government achieved a milestone in digital services, completing 173.7 million digital government transactions. More than 57 million beneficiaries accessed 1,419 digital government services, with a satisfaction rate of 91 per cent. Meanwhile, UAE cities secured advanced rankings in the IMD Smart City Index 2025. Dubai ranked fourth globally and first in the Arab world, while Abu Dhabi came fifth worldwide. These rankings reflect the progress made in digital services, smart infrastructure, and improving quality of life in the emirates. The UAE also topped the region in the Government AI Readiness Index 2024, issued by Oxford Insights, which covered 193 countries. The index measured government efficiency, the development of the technology sector, the availability of data and infrastructure — all areas in which the UAE continues to advance confidently. The Interregional Centre for Strategic Analysis in Abu Dhabi stated that the UAE is steadily moving towards regional leadership in artificial intelligence sectors, supported by targeted investments in research, skills, and innovation. Experts told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the UAE has not only played a leading role in digital transformation but has also become a global model in comprehensive transformation and innovation. Rasha Abdo, Director of Strategic Client Team for the Middle East and North Africa at Infobip, said the UAE continues to enhance its global standing in AI and digital transformation. She noted that topping the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index with a perfect score directly reflects the strength of its digital networks. She highlighted landmark initiatives such as Dubai Government's 360 Services policy, aimed at delivering proactive and integrated people-centred services, adding that the UAE is setting new global standards in digital service delivery across both the public and private sectors. Abdo added that the UAE's transformative framework is a leading model in providing people-first digital services, supported by AI and automated technologies at the government level. She said the UAE continues to set new benchmarks in innovation across public and private sectors, particularly in banking, retail, and healthcare services. Amjad Al Sabbagh, Group Vice-President for the Middle East and Africa at Sprinklr, said the maturity of the UAE's digital ecosystem has moved beyond the adoption of technologies to creating experiences tailored to individual needs. He added that aspirations now go beyond speed to include a human dimension and the anticipation of future needs. He stressed that designing services and prioritising digital transformation have become key drivers of economic growth in the UAE. He pointed out that the country's target to double the digital economy's contribution to GDP by 2030 aligns with projections that AI will contribute 13.6 percent to GDP, equivalent to US$100 billion, bolstering economic diversification and sustainable innovation. WAM
