Dubai's gaming industry is on an ambitious trajectory: 30,000 new jobs and a $1 billion boost to the city's GDP — all by 2033. The growth is no accident. Dubai is actively engineering its rise as a global gaming hub, and the strategy is already taking shape.
Dubai Program for Gaming 2033: The Blueprint
The Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, spearheaded by the Dubai Future Foundation, sits at the heart of this push. The program is designed to propel Dubai into the ranks of the world's top 10 gaming cities by the end of the decade. Its three core pillars — talent, content, and technology — align with the UAE's broader digital economy ambitions.
The program's goals are clear: expand innovation, attract international gaming companies, and create the conditions that allow both startups and established studios to thrive in Dubai.
Workshop Brings Industry Together
In a significant step forward, Dubai Chambers joined forces with the Dubai Future Foundation to host a dedicated workshop examining how Dubai can achieve its gaming sector objectives. The session drew a wide range of stakeholders — game developers, AI specialists, marketers, and digital economy advocates — all focused on the opportunities ahead.
Maha Al Gargawi, Vice President of Business Advocacy at Dubai Chambers, underlined the stakes: "The Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 will help make the necessary steps in terms of development in the sphere and strengthen Dubai's position as an attractive place for business, from entrepreneurs to top talent in the gaming world."
Expand North Star to Spotlight Gaming
Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy highlighted that the gaming sector will be a focal theme at the upcoming Expand North Star — the world's largest event for startups and investors — taking place at Dubai Harbour from 13–16 October 2024. The event is expected to draw global studios, investors, and founders, reinforcing Dubai's credentials as a gaming and digital economy hub.
App Olympics and the Broader Digital Economy
The workshop also featured the App Olympics competition, held under the Create Apps in Dubai initiative, illustrating how gaming intersects with Dubai's wider push to develop a thriving digital economy.
Discussions at the session covered resource allocation, industry structures, and collaborative opportunities for Dubai Future Foundation stakeholders. Participants also analysed strategies for competing against traditionally dominant gaming markets, identifying where Dubai holds a competitive edge.
With over 350 companies — including 260 specialised game developers — already active in the emirate, Dubai's gaming ecosystem is growing fast. Since the program's launch in November 2023, more than 60 new companies have set up in Dubai, reflecting a 16.6% growth rate. The $1 billion GDP target and 30,000 jobs are ambitious, but the groundwork is clearly being laid.
