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Fintech In The UAE Is Set To Add $900 Per Capita By 2030

The United Arab Emirates will add the highest value to its GDP per capita, followed by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

Published

3 years ago

February 13, 2024

Nour Nasir

RMJM

Analysts from UnaFnancial have calculated the value of fintech investment for the Gulf Coast Countries (GCC) in terms of the per-capita increase to GDP using Tracxn data.

In 2022, the United Arab Emirates was a regional leader, with $636.4 (1.01%) in GDP per capita coming from fintech. It was followed by Bahrain with $89 (0.24%) and Saudi Arabia with $75 (0.18%), highlighting the substantial gap between the UAE and its neighbors.

una financial uae fintech gpd per capita

For the GCC region as a whole, the impact of fintech equaled $161 added to the GDP per citizen. Meanwhile, according to UnaFinancial’s forecast, the UAE will still have the highest value of fintech contribution to GDP per capita by 2030, equaling $915.6 (a 44%-increase over 2022). Saudi Arabia is expected to remain in second place but with a massive 650% increase to $561.5. For the GCC region as a whole, fintech will add $506.7 to the GDP per capita by 2030.

Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East

UnaFinancial’s analysts commented: “In terms of investment in fintech, the UAE makes up 62% of the entire GCC region. This is explained by the level of economic development of the country compared to other countries in the region. The GDP per capita for the population aged 15+ in the UAE equals $63,359, which is almost 4 times higher than the average in the GCC (excluding the UAE). Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are the countries with high average annual growth rates of fintech influence – 182.4%, which exceeds the region’s average by 1.5 times. Meanwhile, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar are in a transition phase. The average growth rate of fintech influence on the well-being of their citizens equals 166.3% per year. Yet, there are higher investment risks due to lower economic stability”.

Related Topics:FinTech United Arab Emirates

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Ooredoo Qatar’s 5G+ Network Is Built For Machines As Much As People

Built on 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced, the upgrade lays the groundwork for Qatar’s 2030 digital ambitions.

Published

12 hours ago

October 16, 2026

Dana Saadeh

ooredoo qatar's 5g+ network is built for machines as much as people

Ooredoo Qatar has launched what it calls the country’s first 5G+ mobile network. Customers get faster connections, but much of what the operator is promising is aimed at machines.

5G+ isn’t a new generation of mobile technology so much as a layering of upgrades, building on 5G Standalone and 5G Advanced. The result is the familiar trio of higher speeds, greater capacity and lower latency.

For consumers, Ooredoo promises smoother streaming, more responsive gaming and steadier connections on the move. The service is commercially available through mobile broadband in 5G+ coverage areas, and the operator is aiming it at campers during the camping season. The network has been deployed at locations across Qatar, but the announcement doesn’t name them, say whether smartphone plans are included or put figures on the speed and latency gains.

The business case is more detailed: Greater capacity lets more devices connect and exchange data efficiently, while shorter response times support real-time equipment monitoring and automated processes. Network slicing tailors connectivity to specific uses, and 5G Advanced combined with edge computing targets mission-critical applications that require rapid responses. Expanded IoT capabilities cover industrial sensors, asset trackers and utility meters, the building blocks for automation and future smart city services. The company also cites AI-enabled services and complex digital workloads.

Also Read: WHOOP Goes Arabic, Betting On The Gulf’s Appetite For Health Data

“With the 5G+ network, we are enhancing everyday digital experiences for our consumers, enabling innovation, and strengthening the competitiveness of businesses across the country,” said Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad Al Thani, chief executive officer of Ooredoo Qatar.

“From launching the world’s first 5G network in 2018 to deploying Qatar’s first 5G Standalone core network, we have consistently advanced connectivity,” he added.

Ooredoo ties the rollout to Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Digital Agenda 2030, framing it as part of the country’s effort to strengthen its position as a leading regional digital hub. For that ambition, the devices that matter most may be the ones without screens.