Business

Gulf cybersecurity spend to hit Dh120 billion by 2030 as AI drives a new era of digital resilience

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9 months ago

November 20, 2025

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Cybersecurity spending across the Gulf is set to more than double by 2030, crossing a massive Dh120 billion, as artificial intelligence, sovereign cloud initiatives, and hyper-scale data centres reshape the region’s digital future, according to a new Grand View Research report.

The study, Cyber Resilience in the Gulf: Where Technology Meets Sovereign Risk (2025 Edition), points to rapid digital transformation in the UAE and Saudi Arabia as the biggest driver of this growth.

With mega-investments going into national data centres, AI clusters, and cloud corridors, countries are now prioritising not just technology adoption but long-term sovereign resilience.

“Cyber resilience is no longer just an IT function; it’s becoming a national capability,” said Swayam Dash, Managing Director at Grand View Research.

“It now influences how nations attract investment, maintain trust, and sustain growth.”

UAE-Saudi Lead the Charge

Together, the two countries account for more than 60 per cent of cybersecurity spending in the Gulf.

In the UAE, investments are flowing into AI-driven threat intelligence, zero-trust models, and sovereign cloud ecosystems under the Cybersecurity Strategy 2025–31.
Saudi Arabia, under Vision 2030, is embedding cyber readiness across large-scale industrial, financial, and infrastructure projects led by its National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA) and SDAIA.

From Firewalls to Full Frameworks

The report highlights a major shift in the region’s cybersecurity mindset, from protecting networks to institutionalising resilience.

Key milestones include:

ADGM’s Cyber Risk Management Framework
Saudi Central Bank’s cyber stress-testing regime
Cross-border CERT intelligence sharing across GCC nations

Dash says this unified approach is the Gulf’s “biggest advantage,” enabling nations to move together on cybersecurity, business continuity, and defence.

AI Takes Centre Stage

AI-driven cybersecurity is the fastest-growing segment:

UAE’s AI cyber market will surge from Dh4.4 billion to Dh19.7 billion by 2030.
Saudi Arabia is expected to jump from Dh4.59 billion to Dh16.47 billion in the same period.

The region is also investing heavily in local talent, with the Middle East & Africa cybersecurity training market set to reach Dh4.99 billion by 2030.

As digital infrastructure becomes the backbone of economic transformation, industry experts say cybersecurity is becoming a new economic benchmark, and increasingly, a sign of sovereign strength.

Related Topics:AI CyberInvestments CyberStrategy CyberTrends2030 DataSovereignty DigitalResilience GulfCybersecurity saudiarabia TechInTheGulf uae

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Announcements

Small businesses in the UAE now have tax relief until 2029

Published

7 hours ago

August 7, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Small businesses in the UAE with annual revenues of up to Dh3 million will continue to be eligible for Small Business Relief under the corporate tax regime until the end of 2029.

The Ministry of Finance said on Friday that Ministerial Decision No. 131 extends the period during which eligible businesses can benefit from Small Business Relief to cover tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.

The relief was introduced to help reduce the corporate tax compliance burden for smaller businesses and start-ups that meet the eligibility requirements.

Dh3 million threshold remains unchanged

The existing annual revenue threshold of Dh3 million, set under Ministerial Decision No. 73 of 2023, will continue to apply.

The relief applies to tax periods beginning on or after June 1, 2023 and, following the latest amendment, will remain available for subsequent tax periods ending on or before December 31, 2029.

Eligible taxable persons with annual revenue of up to Dh3 million can claim Small Business Relief, subject to meeting the conditions and requirements outlined in the corporate tax legislation.

The relief enables qualifying businesses to benefit from simplified corporate tax compliance requirements.

More time for small businesses

The extension provides eligible small businesses and start-ups with additional tax periods to benefit from the relief while continuing to meet the Dh3 million revenue threshold.

The Ministry said the decision is part of its efforts to support smaller companies and entrepreneurs, strengthen the business environment, and encourage sustainable growth and expansion.

Business

No cash? No card? No problem: Now shop at Dubai Duty Free with crypto

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2 days ago

August 5, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai Duty Free has become the first airport retailer in the Middle East to introduce Crypto.com Pay, allowing eligible UAE residents to pay for purchases using their Crypto.com accounts.

The new payment option is now available at Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/AMIA) and online at Dubai Duty Free’s website.

The rollout follows a strategic partnership signed between Dubai Duty Free and Crypto.com in July 2025 and supports Dubai’s wider push towards a cashless economy under the D33 Economic Agenda.

How it works

For in-store purchases, shoppers simply select Crypto.com Pay at checkout, scan the QR code displayed at the counter using the Crypto.com app and approve the payment. The transaction is processed instantly, with Dubai Duty Free receiving settlement in UAE dirhams.

Online shoppers can also choose Crypto.com Pay during checkout, scan the QR code generated on the payment page and confirm the transaction through the Crypto.com app. Mobile users are redirected directly to the app before returning to complete their purchase.

Available for eligible UAE residents

The service is currently available to eligible UAE residents with a Crypto.com account. Payments are processed through Crypto.com’s regulated payment platform, with transactions settled in dirhams.

Dubai Duty Free said the launch expands its range of digital payment options, which already includes Apple Pay, Alipay and TerraPay, while offering customers another convenient way to pay.

The move also strengthens Dubai’s ambition to become a global leader in digital commerce, with the emirate targeting 90 per cent of financial transactions to be cashless by the end of 2026.

Announcements

August fuel rates announced: UAE petrol prices go up

Published

1 week ago

July 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE motorists will pay more at the pump from Saturday after the UAE Fuel Price Committee announced higher petrol and diesel prices for August 2026.

The revised rates, which take effect from August 1, are:

Super 98: Dh3.60 per litre (up from Dh3.40)
Special 95: Dh3.49 per litre (up from Dh3.29)
E-Plus 91: Dh3.41 per litre (up from Dh3.21)
Diesel: Dh3.80 per litre (up from Dh3.60)

The increase reverses July’s price reduction and comes after volatility in global oil markets during the past month.

The UAE Fuel Price Committee reviews retail fuel prices at the end of each month, with rates determined in line with movements in international oil markets.

The new prices will remain in effect throughout August 2026.