Dubai¡¯s big bet on apps: How the Emirate is building a global mobile tech hub

The Emirate of Dubai is pulling all the stops to establish itself as the world¡¯s mobile app capital. With initiatives like Create Apps and the App Olympics, led by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, along with efforts to attract top talent, the city is creating new opportunities for app developers and tech entrepreneurs.

These programmes are giving developers¡ªboth new and experienced¡ªaccess to the resources they need to build, scale, and succeed in an increasingly digital world.

With strong government backing, a growing ecosystem of support programmes, and a focus on developing skilled talent, Dubai is drawing entrepreneurs and tech startups from around the world. But what makes its approach different? A closer look at these initiatives reveals how the city is shaping the future of mobile app development and cementing its role as a global tech hub.

Dubai¡¯s strategic vision for mobile app development

This ambition to become a global mobile app capital isn¡¯t just about attracting international talent¡ªit¡¯s about cultivating its own. The city is investing heavily in training Emiratis in coding, app development, and business creation, with a bold target: triple the number of app developers in Dubai by 2025 and support 100 new national app projects, according to news media reports.

But this isn¡¯t just a numbers game. The Emirate is building an ecosystem where app development fuels jobs, innovation, and economic growth. Programmes like the App Olympics are part of a broader strategy to future-proof the economy and drive digital transformation. A testament to this impact is ¡°The Intern¡±, which won the Best Social Impact App category. Reflecting on the experience, Founder, The Intern, Bassem Nassif shared, ¡°It provided an invaluable platform to showcase our vision and validate the impact we aim to create. The exposure, credibility, and connections we gained have accelerated our growth significantly, opening doors to potential investors, strategic mentors, and industry leaders. It reinforced our belief that The Intern is solving a real, global problem, and it gave us the momentum to scale faster.¡±

On the other hand Create Apps in Dubai, is a programme designed to equip aspiring developers with the skills and resources to turn ideas into reality. From mentorship and hands-on learning labs to scholarships, certifications, and discounted business licensing, it provides a launchpad for local talent to thrive in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

By focusing on both global expertise and local potential, Dubai isn¡¯t just shaping its future as a tech hub¡ªit¡¯s ensuring that its talent plays a leading role in the transformation.

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy

The App Olympics- Driving innovation and opportunity

Dubai has also launched the App Olympics, a competition designed to identify, support, and scale promising app developers from around the world. The competition offers financial rewards, mentorship programs, and digital service packages worth $150,000 to help winners bring their ideas to life. This comprehensive support system is a key differentiator, according to Rishabh Singh, Vice President of Products at Astra Tech.

Singh said ¡°with not only visibility but also access to valuable resources such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to potential investors. By creating a competitive yet collaborative ecosystem, the initiative has nurtured creativity and encouraged developers to think beyond traditional boundaries, driving the region¡¯s tech ecosystem forward.¡±

The co-founder of Takeem, Rakesh Mavath, also shared their experience after winning the Best Advanced App award in the App Olympics: ¡°I have to give a big shout-out here to the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy. What we thought would be the biggest part of our startup, they¡¯ve made the connections for us to accelerate it. They opened the doors to the Dubai Land Department for us to form a partnership with this incredibly large organisation, something we thought would take at least a year. They made a call, and the next day, we were meeting them. It¡¯s simply amazing!¡±

Similarly, Nassif added ¡°During App Olympics, We received mentorship from leading industry experts who guided us in refining our business model and go-to-market strategy. The competition also amplified our visibility, allowing us to connect with potential investors and industry stakeholders interested in backing promising tech solutions.¡±

How the app economy is shaping the future in Dubai?

The city is actively positioning itself as a global leader in the digital economy, recognising that technology and innovation are essential for future prosperity. This ambition is deeply embedded in the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which prioritises the digital economy as a key engine for sustainable growth and diversification.

The city is committed to establishing a culture of innovation, encouraging experimentation, and embracing emerging technologies. Nassif highlighted, ¡°Key trends shaping the industry include AI-powered applications, blockchain integration, super apps, and an increasing focus on fintech and edtech solutions. The UAE¡¯s smart city initiatives also provide an excellent ecosystem for mobile startups to test and scale.¡±

Beyond innovation, Dubai¡¯s strategic advantages make it an attractive hub for startups. Singh stated, ¡°Compared to global trends, Dubai¡¯s market is slightly more focused on localisation and addressing gaps in emerging economies, whereas global apps often aim for scalability across diverse regions.¡±

Echoing this perspective, Nassif added, ¡°Compared to global markets, Dubai offers a unique advantage with its strategic location, diverse consumer base, and high smartphone penetration. The business-friendly regulatory environment and tax incentives make it an attractive hub for startups, especially when compared to traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley or London. However, competition is intense, so differentiation and scalability remain crucial.¡±

Building an app economy helps build a powerful ripple effect like creating jobs, attracting significant investment, and stimulating innovation across a wide range of sectors. Success in the app space can catalyse growth in related industries, from design and marketing to data analytics and cybersecurity.

The App Olympics and the broader "Create Apps in Dubai" initiative are not just about apps; they are about building a better future for Dubai. According to reports, UAE Participants have accounted for about 70% of the submissions. There were entries from 64 countries, accounting for the remaining 30%.

Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy

A Gateway for Indian startups and app developers

The city¡¯s ambitious vision also presents a well of opportunities for Indian mobile apps. As Singh highlighted ¡°The city's location, strong investor network, world-class infrastructure, and pro-business environment make it an ideal gateway for Indian companies looking to expand into the Middle East and beyond.¡±

He added ¡°Ultra app development- Dubai is gravitating towards apps that consolidate multiple services, which aligns well with Indian startups experienced in building comprehensive ecosystems.¡± Botim¡¯s transformation into a fintech-powered ultra-app is a prime example. Likewise, ¡°Fintech innovation- Dubai is leading the charge in financial inclusion, digital payments, and cross-border transactions¡ªareas where Indian startups have significant expertise.¡± With India¡¯s strong fintech foundation, expansion into Dubai is a natural fit.¡±

Additionally, Dubai¡¯s focus on mobile gaming, AI-driven applications, and smart city innovations aligns well with India¡¯s growing digital talent pool, enabling cross-border collaborations that can drive mutual growth and innovation. Indian startups looking to scale their apps globally can strategically leverage Dubai¡¯s position as a global tech hub. As Singh suggests, ¡°Leverage Free Zones: Utilize tech-focused free zones to gain tax benefits, infrastructure support, and market access.¡± These zones offer a favourable environment for startups to establish a foothold.

When advising Indian startups and app developers, Nassif emphasised that Dubai¡¯s business-friendly regulations, 100% foreign ownership in free zones, and expanding venture capital network create a strong foundation for scaling. He highlighted that to succeed, startups must understand local consumer behaviour, participate in accelerator programs, and build strong local partnerships to effectively navigate and thrive in Dubai¡¯s rapidly evolving app development ecosystem.

Nassif emphasised that the biggest takeaway from the App Olympics is that innovation knows no boundaries and stated, ¡°Think beyond borders and design your app for a global audience from the start. Participate in competitions, accelerators, and mentorship programs to gain exposure.¡±

Dubai¡¯s mobile app initiatives strongly focus on providing resources and support for developers but also level the playing field, enabling global startups to establish a strong presence and compete on a larger stage.