The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again demonstrated its leadership in digital transformation, securing the top global positions in telecommunications infrastructure, digital government institutional frameworks, and digital content, as highlighted in the latest “State of Digital Transformation Report” released during the Digital Readiness Retreat.

Unprecedented Global Rankings

The report, issued by the UAE’s Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation, showcases the nation’s remarkable achievements across 12 key sectors, including economy, finance, health, education, and environment. Notably, the UAE ranked first globally in the United Nations indices for telecommunications infrastructure, digital government frameworks, digital content, and digital knowledge.

Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, emphasized that digital readiness and transformation are central to the UAE leadership’s vision, aiming to eliminate bureaucracy and enhance quality of life through technology.

Significant Efficiency Gains

The UAE’s digital government initiatives have led to substantial efficiency gains:

• AED 368 billion saved for users

• AED 20 billion reduction in government costs

• 530 million labor hours saved

• 55.8 million tonnes reduction in carbon emissions

In 2024 alone, federal government entities processed 173.7 million digital transactions, with federal websites attracting 131.5 million visits and government apps downloaded 26.3 million times.

Comprehensive Digital Services

The UAE now offers 1,419 digital services, including 195 classified as priority. The satisfaction rate for these services has reached 91%, benefiting over 57 million users. Currently, there are 460 active digital transformation projects across federal agencies.

The UAE Pass, the national digital identity platform, has been utilized by 10.8 million individuals, connecting to 15,000 services and supporting 2.6 billion integrated digital transactions.

Sector-Specific Achievements

• Economic Sector: 5.2 million tax transactions completed digitally; 316,800 certificates of origin issued; 64,100 trademark registrations and renewals processed.

• Finance Sector: 8,300 vendor registrations; 2,500 financial market employee accreditations; 1,000 foreign investment fund renewals.

• Human Resources: 13.2 million work permit applications; 8 million employment contract transactions; 1.2 million training hours delivered via the “Jahiz” digital learning platform.

• Health Sector: 2 million prescriptions filled using robotic pharmacies; 1 million chest X-rays conducted using AI; 437,900 remote medical consultations held.

• Education Sector: Digital learning provided to 1.4 million individuals; 445,700 university course registrations processed.

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

The UAE’s strategic focus on digital transformation aligns with its broader vision to enhance governance, economic diversification, and quality of life. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and fostering a culture of innovation, the UAE continues to set global benchmarks in digital government and infrastructure.