The UAE has once again proved why it sits at the centre of the Middle East’s digital future. According to Forbes Middle East’s inaugural Top Tech Leaders 2026 ranking, the country now dominates the regional tech landscape — with nearly half of the region’s most powerful technology leaders based in the Emirates.
Out of 53 leaders featured across eight countries, 25 are based in the UAE, accounting for 47 per cent of the full list. Saudi Arabia followed with 15 leaders, while the remaining names were spread across Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Morocco and Qatar.
For Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this ranking isn’t just symbolic. It reflects what residents already see every day — a city ecosystem where AI labs sit beside fintech startups, cloud computing hubs share space with global tech giants, and government-backed innovation is part of everyday life.
The ranking, released by Forbes Middle East, is divided into three categories:
- Top Tech Leaders in Government
- Top Tech Leaders of Global Companies
- Top Tech CEOs
Together, they spotlight the people shaping how technology is built, regulated and scaled across the region.
Government leadership driving real-world impact
The UAE topped the Top Tech Leaders in Government list, with Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, securing the number one position.
In a country where smart services, digital identity systems, AI policing, and cyber infrastructure are part of daily operations, cybersecurity isn’t just a technical role — it’s national infrastructure. Dr. Al Kuwaiti’s leadership reflects the UAE’s focus on digital trust, data security and national resilience.
He was followed by Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of Saudi Arabia’s SDAIA, and Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary-General of the UAE’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).
For everyday residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this leadership translates into safer digital services, smoother smart government platforms, and faster innovation across healthcare, transport, education and public services.
This also strengthens Dubai’s position as a global smart city hub, alongside initiatives like AI governance frameworks, digital government services, and innovation accelerators across DIFC, DSO, and Masdar City.
Global tech giants now anchored in the UAE
The UAE didn’t just dominate government tech leadership — it also led in global corporate influence.
Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President for the Middle East, Africa and Türkiye at Amazon, ranked first in the Top Tech Leaders of Global Companies list. His role reflects how cloud computing, AI platforms, and digital commerce infrastructure are now being built from the Middle East, not just delivered to it.
He was followed by Anthony Nakache, Managing Director, MENA at Google, and Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director, MENA & Türkiye at Google Cloud. Fares Akkad of Meta secured third place.
For Dubai’s business community, this matters.
These leaders influence:
- Cloud adoption across the government and private sectors
- AI integration in business operations
- Data infrastructure for startups and SMEs
- Digital transformation for retail, logistics, banking and tourism
It explains why Dubai continues to attract global HQs, regional tech offices, and digital investments — from DIFC to Internet City and beyond.
UAE-based CEOs shaping the region’s tech economy
In the Top Tech CEOs category, Peng Xiao, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi-based G42, took the top spot. G42 has become one of the region’s most influential AI and data companies, playing a key role in healthcare AI, smart cities, and advanced computing.
He was followed by Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO at e&, and Olayan Alwetaid, Group CEO at stc Group.
This category highlights a shift happening quietly but powerfully in the UAE: homegrown tech leadership. These are not just executives managing companies — they’re shaping regional digital policy, infrastructure and long-term innovation strategies.
For young entrepreneurs, students, and professionals in Dubai, this creates something bigger than rankings. It creates visible role models in tech leadership, right here in the UAE.
How Dubai and Abu Dhabi keep winning in tech?
This dominance didn’t happen overnight.
It’s the result of:
- Long-term digital policy planning
- Government-backed innovation programmes
- Strong public-private partnerships
- Startup funding ecosystems
- Smart city investments
- AI-first governance models
From Dubai Future Foundation to Hub71, from Dubai Internet City to Abu Dhabi’s AI initiatives, the UAE has built a structure where innovation isn’t a buzzword — it’s infrastructure.
And for residents, it shows up in real life:
- Faster digital services
- Smarter transport systems
- AI-powered healthcare
- Cashless payments everywhere
- Seamless government apps
- Smart tourism experiences
This ranking simply confirms what the streets of Dubai already show — the UAE is no longer catching up in tech. It’s setting the pace.
Forbes Middle East’s 2026 ranking makes one thing clear: the UAE is now the region’s undisputed tech capital.
From cybersecurity and AI to cloud computing and digital governance, Emirati leadership is shaping how technology evolves across the Middle East.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi aren’t just hosting innovation anymore. They are building it, exporting it, and leading it.
And this leadership isn’t limited to boardrooms — it’s visible in daily life, from smart government services to digital businesses, from startup ecosystems to global tech headquarters.
As the region looks toward a more digital future, one message stands out clearly:
The UAE is not preparing for tomorrow’s tech economy. It’s already living in it.
Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news, things to do, Travel, Bollywood, and everything happening across Dubai’s food and lifestyle scene.
Read More
