Global dominance persists for UAE in mobile web surfing speeds

Global dominance persists for UAE in mobile web surfing speeds

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again proven its global leadership in digital transformation and smart city development. In the IMD Smart City Index 2025, Dubai ranked 4th globally and 1st in the Arab world, while Abu Dhabi achieved 5th place globally[1][2][4].

The factors contributing to these impressive rankings include advanced digital infrastructure, comprehensive digital transformation and innovation, government AI readiness, smart governance and urban planning, user satisfaction, long-term digital and AI strategies, and a focus on quality of life through smart city development.

The UAE topped the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index with a perfect score, highlighting its robust and high-speed digital networks [1]. The country has made significant progress in digital services, smart infrastructure, and quality of life improvements across its cities [1][4].

The UAE leads the region in the Government AI Readiness Index 2024, reflecting strong government efficiency, data and infrastructure availability, and a rapidly developing technology sector driven by investments in research, innovation, and skills development [1][4].

Dubai's rise was fueled by digital innovation, proactive governance, and urban planning initiatives such as smart parking, vehicle-sharing, real-time public transport data, and AI integration in law enforcement to enhance public safety [2]. High resident satisfaction with digital services—including online ID services, healthcare appointment systems, and better access to public parks and recreational spaces—boosted the rankings [2][3].

The UAE's vision through the Dubai Digital Strategy and AI Strategy 2030 underpins sustainable transformation toward a fully digitized and autonomous urban environment [2][4]. The UAE Government completed 173.7 million digital government transactions in 2024.

Moreover, the UAE's digital ecosystem has moved beyond the adoption of technologies to creating experiences tailored to individual needs. AI is projected to contribute 13.6 percent to the UAE's GDP, equivalent to US$100 billion, bolstering economic diversification and sustainable innovation.

The satisfaction rate for digital government services in the UAE was 91 percent in 2024. The UAE maintained its first-place ranking worldwide for mobile internet speed from July 2024 to June 2025, according to the Speedtest Global Index issued by Ookla.

Rasha Abdo, Director of Strategic Client Team for the Middle East and North Africa at Infobip, stated that the UAE continues to enhance its global standing in AI and digital transformation. 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.

The UAE's target is to double the digital economy's contribution to GDP by 2030. With its ongoing commitment to digital transformation, smart city development, and AI integration, the UAE is steadily moving towards regional leadership in artificial intelligence sectors.

1. The news of the UAE's strong ranks in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, where Dubai ranked 4th globally and 1st in the Arab world, and Abu Dhabi achieved 5th place globally, signifies the nation's global leadership in digital transformation and smart city development.
2. The UAE's digital infrastructure, comprehensive digital transformation, and innovation are significant factors that contributed to its impressive ranks in the smart city development.
3. In the Government AI Readiness Index 2024, the UAE led the region, reflecting its strong government efficiency, data and infrastructure availability, and a rapidly developing technology sector driven by investments in research, innovation, and skills development.
4. Dubai's rise was propelled by digital innovation, proactive governance, and urban planning initiatives such as smart parking, vehicle-sharing, real-time public transport data, and AI integration in law enforcement to enhance public safety.
5. AI is expected to contribute 13.6 percent to the UAE's GDP, equivalent to US$100 billion, bolstering economic diversification and sustainable innovation.
6. The satisfaction rate for digital government services in the UAE was 91 percent in 2024, and the UAE maintained its first-place ranking worldwide for mobile internet speed from July 2024 to June 2025.
7. Rasha Abdo, Director of Strategic Client Team for the Middle East and North Africa at Infobip, expressed that the UAE continues to enhance its global standing in AI and digital transformation, with its transformative framework serving as a leading model in providing people-first digital services, supported by AI and automated technologies at the government level.
8. The UAE aims to double the digital economy's contribution to GDP by 2030, and with its ongoing commitment to digital transformation, smart city development, and AI integration, it is moving towards regional leadership in artificial intelligence sectors.
9. As the UAE continues to excel in technology, business, personal finance, education, self-development, career development, job search, learning, skills-training, health, finance, cybersecurity, wealth management, and other areas, it becomes a beacon of innovation and progress for the world.

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