Dubai Internet City has added AED100 billion ($27.23 billion) to the city’s gross domestic product over the past 15 years. The district today generates 65 percent of Dubai’s technology sector GDP, according to a recent impact study titled “Dubai Internet City – Impact Assessment,” conducted in partnership with Accenture.
The district’s community has facilitated the creation of more than 125,000 direct and indirect jobs, with AED1.6 billion of investments to support training and talent development over the years.
“In line with Dubai’s visionary roadmap to nurture the technology sector and enhance its role as a key economic contributor, Dubai Internet City has enabled both the regional digital economy and disruptive innovation for more than 25 years,” said Ammar Al Malik, executive vice president of commercial at TECOM Group and managing director of Dubai Internet City.
Global gateway to international expansion
Home to 4,000 customers, including multinational giants, Fortune 500s and start-ups, and more than 31,000 professionals, the district marked its 25th anniversary in 2024. Dubai Internet City was launched on October 29, 1999, by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to strengthen Dubai’s and the UAE’s knowledge economy.
The power of the district’s pro-innovation infrastructure as a uniting platform for professionals, including AI pioneers, from more than 150 countries, is leveraging Dubai’s position as a global gateway to international expansion. In addition, the district offers seamless access to more than 200 corporate and government smart services through TECOM Group’s axs portal to enhance the ease of doing business for its community.
Start-ups and entrepreneurs raise AED8 billion
The success of Dubai Internet City’s diversified talent development and knowledge-sharing platforms is evident in growth across its community. Women comprise more than 25 percent of the district’s workforce.
Since 2021, the number of women-run start-ups has doubled at in5 Tech, the sector-dedicated vertical of TECOM Group’s in5 incubator based in the district. Start-ups and entrepreneurs at Dubai Internet City have raised AED8 billion in funding over the years, with notable unicorns in the district’s legacy including Careem and Souq.
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Leading Dubai’s digital economy growth
Dubai Internet City, part of TECOM Group’s portfolio of 10 sector-specific business districts, has also championed the digital economy’s growth since its inception by uniting global industry heavyweights for 25 years, conducting more than 800 events since 2021 to facilitate knowledge exchange and diversified talent development.
The district’s community now includes global industry leaders such as Oracle, SAP, Dell Amazon, Google, Tencent, Huawei, Mastercard and Visa. Global leaders including 3M, IBM, Ericsson and Cisco are also among the global customers that operate 19 dedicated Innovation and Research and Development (R&D) Centers at Dubai Internet City to drive technological advancements.
