On June 22nd, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, enacted a Law establishing the Dubai Digital Authority (DDA), and a Decree appointing H.E. Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori as the DDA’s Director General.
The DDA will serve as Dubai’s official government body responsible for all matters related to information technology, data, smart and digital transformation, and information security. Moreover, the Smart Dubai Department, the Smart Dubai Government, the Dubai Data Establishment, the Dubai Electronic Security Center and the Dubai Statistics Centre are expected to consolidate and start operating under the DDA’s umbrella. This is a welcomed development as Dubai moves to create a single window for digital development and regulation.
In this light, the tech industry should expect: (i) further regulatory updates as the DDA commences its efforts to boost Dubai’s digital readiness and regulatory maturity; and (ii) additional efforts to accelerate digital transformation across Dubai as aligned with the UAE’s Vision 2021, 4th Industrial Revolution Strategy, Digitalization Strategy and the National Policy for Quality of Digital Life.
It is worth noting however, that the DDA’s success will be underpinned by how, in the first instance it interacts with the Federal Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), noting their overlapping mandate and leadership. We are also yet to see how and if the establishment of the DDA will boost inter-emirate collaboration, noting recent activity by the Abu Dhabi Digital Authority (ADDA) and Ajman’s Department of Digital.
Access Partnership is closely monitoring all developments regarding the establishment of the Dubai Digital Authority (DDA). For more information regarding this matter please contact Hussein Abul-Enein at hussein.abul-enein@accesspartnership.com
