Digital Dubai and its cooperating governmental and private partners have begun implementing the Strategic Vision for Dubai's Data Centre Economy, recently approved by the Executive Council. The initiative aims to establish Dubai as a worldwide hub for AI-powered data centres and advanced technologies — a central pillar of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which targets a 50% boost in the emirate's economic productivity through digitisation.
AED 14.3 Billion in Added Value by 2028
A Digital Dubai study identified the key areas of stakeholder collaboration that have already attracted significant investment toward AI data centre development. The decision-making framework is projected to generate more than AED 14.3 billion in added economic value by 2028, while creating a substantial number of digital economy jobs across the emirate.
Preparing Dubai for Emerging Technologies
The strategy also positions Dubai to capitalise on the next wave of emerging technologies, including Web 3.0, the Metaverse, Smart Cities, and the Internet of Things. Digital Dubai is working alongside the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Municipality, and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism to build the emirate's capacity for the future economy.
Core Pillars of the AI Data Centre Strategy
The strategic vision rests on three core pillars: enhancing high-performance computing services, utilising renewable energy for advanced data centres, and reducing governmental bureaucracy to streamline investment. Together, these efforts are designed to consolidate Dubai's leadership in artificial intelligence and strengthen its competitiveness in the global digital economy.
What Officials Said
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director-General of Digital Dubai, stressed that the emirate offers superior conditions for the establishment of sustainable data centres. Younus Al Nasser, head of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, and Hadi Badri, head of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, both noted that the strategy directly aligns with the D33 Agenda's objectives for next-generation technologies.
