H.H. Sheikh Mohammed unveils District IO project for 'emerging economic sectors'

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of the District IO project in Dubai Silicon Oasis that aims to build a hub for emerging sectors like AI and smart mobility.

Taking to his official social media channels, Sheikh Mohammed said the new project is expected to contribute "more than AED103 billion to our national GDP over the next 10 years".

The new district will focus on "building an advanced technology business environment for emerging economic sectors such as artificial intelligence, transformative technologies, quantum computing, smart mobility, and others".

The "goal", Sheikh Mohammed added, "is to provide a business environment for more than 6,500 new companies and 75,000 specialised talents".

This is part of the UAE's accelerated plans to "double" development plans every day, he said, adding, "We will not stop .. and we will not look back .. because the one who looks back does not reach".

He added that Dubai will remain an open environment for talent, creative minds, and high value investments from around the world, and a platform for future technologies that enhance quality of life and reinforce Dubai’s position among the world’s most future-ready cities.

ضمن مشاريعنا الاقتصادية الجديدة .. أطلقنا اليوم مشروع District IO في واحة دبي للسيليكون وذلك بهدف بناء بيئة أعمال بتقنيات متقدمة لقطاعات اقتصادية جديدة مثل الذكاء الاصطناعي والتقنيات التحولية والحوسبة الكمومية والنقل الذكي وغيرها ..

الهدف توفير بيئة أعمال لأكثر من 6500 شركة… pic.twitter.com/KJqUIIl6Pk

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) January 22, 2026

It will create more than 70,000 direct and indirect jobs over 10 years, and attract up to AED30 billion in foreign direct investment by 2036.

The District IO project will see investments amounting to AED11 billion, and will be developed through two main phases: the first in 2026 and the second in 2027.

It will see the construction of 25 LEED compliant buildings, divided into 18 commercial buildings and four residential buildings, in addition to hospitality facilities.

District I0 is part of the expansion projects at Dubai Silicon Oasis, with investments totalling AED12.8 billion.

The Block 14 project - a residential and lifestyle district - is another part of the expansion plan.

Located near the Dubai Metro Blue Line station in Dubai Silicon Oasis, the project is designed to deliver an exceptional living experience and will be completed in 2029.

It will support the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and the transit oriented development (TOD) model, with investments of AED1.8 billion.

These projects are in line with the directives of Sheikh Mohammed to make Dubai the world’s best city to live, work, and invest.

Sheikh Mohammed reviews other projects

On the sidelines of the launch, Sheikh Mohammed visited a few vital projects within Dubai Silicon Oasis.

The tour included a visit to Fakeeh University Hospital, where His Highness was briefed on its advanced medical services system, and the patient-centric model.

Sheikh Mohammed was also briefed, at the Rochester Institute of Technology Dubai, on the Middle East’s first-of-its-kind drone delivery project using an integrated delivery network within the Oasis.

His Highness was also briefed on the role of robotics and autonomous systems, through this project.