Digital readiness score UAE 2019, by component

In 2019, the United Arab Emirates reached a total digital readiness score of 16.42 out of 25, indicating that the country is in the Amplify stage. This stage includes countries that have made significant advances in their digital journey. The digital readiness score measures seven key components that enhance the country’s digital journey.

 UAE digitalization journey 

The UAE is on track in transforming into a knowledge-based economy, by recognizing the importance of digitization, and the role of information and communication technologies in digitalizing the economy. This has been a work in progress since 2000 when Dubai Internet City (DIC) was established. The national strategy ever since was focused on transforming the country digitally with the support and motivation of their national leaders and clarity of the multiple strategies that have been set into place, many of which have come to fruition. Those strategies included the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, the Emirates Blockchain Strategy 2021, the UAE National Innovation Strategy, the UAE National Strategy for Higher Education 2030, and the UAE Centennial 2071 Plan. Globally, blockchain technologies were mostly used for digital currencies, and data access and sharing in 2020.

 How the UAE ranks globally 

  The UAE today provides multiple services online and as a result, the UAE was ranked 6th globally in the online services index and 17th in the e-participation index according to the UN’s E-Government Development Index 2018 covering 193 countries. In 2020, the UAE was one of the top ten most competitive countries worldwide. With its digital vision, the UAE has announced its aspiration to go beyond the region and compete at a global level. The largest digital technology investments in the MENA region in 2018 were in the transactional business models, with a value exceeding two billion U.S. dollars.