UAE Tops Global Rankings in Digital Transformation, Smart Cities and AI Readiness
Abu Dhabi, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to consolidate its leading position on the global digital transformation map, driven by a forward-looking vision and ambitious national policies that have positioned digital innovation as a cornerstone of sustainable development and economic competitiveness.
Public and private institutions across the country are adopting people-centred strategies, recognising citizens as both beneficiaries and leaders of the transformation process. Numerous international reports highlight the UAE’s rapid progress in this domain and its high rankings in prestigious global indices, underscoring its regional and international 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 perfect score of 100 percent. This achievement reflects the extensive reach and efficiency of the country’s digital networks and the maturity of its technological infrastructure.
The UAE has also maintained its top global ranking in mobile internet speed from July 2024 to June 2025, as per the Speedtest Global Index by Ookla. In June 2025, the country recorded an average mobile download speed of 546.14 megabits per second, significantly surpassing global competitors.
In 2024, the UAE Government completed 173.7 million digital government transactions, serving more than 57 million beneficiaries across 1,419 digital services, with a satisfaction rate of 91 percent.
The IMD Smart City Index 2025 placed Dubai fourth globally and first in the Arab world, while Abu Dhabi ranked fifth worldwide, reflecting advancements in smart infrastructure, digital services, and quality of life.
In artificial intelligence (AI), the UAE topped the Middle East and ranked highly worldwide in the Government AI Readiness Index 2024 by Oxford Insights, which assessed 193 countries based on government efficiency, technology sector development, and infrastructure availability. The Interregional Centre for Strategic Analysis in Abu Dhabi affirmed that targeted investments in research, skills, and innovation are accelerating the UAE’s leadership in AI.
Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Rasha Abdo, Director of Strategic Client Team for the Middle East and North Africa at Infobip, noted that the UAE’s perfect score in the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index highlights the strength of its networks. She cited landmark initiatives such as Dubai Government’s 360 Services policy, which delivers proactive, integrated, and people-first services, setting new global standards in public and private sector digital delivery.
Amjad Al Sabbagh, Group Vice-President for the Middle East and Africa at Sprinklr, said the UAE’s digital ecosystem has evolved from technology adoption to creating personalised experiences that anticipate future needs. He emphasised that the nation’s goal to double the digital economy’s GDP contribution by 2030, alongside AI’s projected 13.6 percent share—equivalent to US$100 billion—will further drive economic diversification and sustainable innovation.
