Fifth Edition of the Arab Digital Economy Index
The fifth edition of the Arab Digital Economy Index, issued in September 2026, revealed that the UAE topped the list of Arab countries, alongside Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, within the group of high-performing countries in what has become known as “digital sovereignty.”
Pillars of the Index Assessment
The index assesses countries’ performance across six main pillars: digital infrastructure, institutional capabilities, skills, innovation, markets, and the ability to extract economic value from modern technologies.
Remarks by Dr. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri
Dr. Ali Mohamed Al Khouri, President of the Arab Union for Digital Economy, affirmed that the new edition of the index places “digital sovereignty” at the heart of the discussion, because data, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, semiconductors, and cybersecurity have become essential elements of countries’ economic and institutional capabilities, rather than mere supporting tools.
Progress and Gaps in the Arab Region
The report reveals that the Arab region has made notable progress in digital infrastructure, government services, and cybersecurity, but it still faces significant gaps in innovation, the data economy, research and development, and converting digital investments into productivity and tangible economic value.
The UAE as a Clear Exception
The UAE stands out in this context as a clear exception, as the global digital economy exceeds $20 trillion, equivalent to about a quarter of global GDP, and the country seeks to be an active partner in this growing share, not merely a follower.
Source
Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)
