Abu Dhabi partners with Microsoft, Core42 for sovereign cloud system
The initiative will enhance government services by increasing efficiency, improving accessibility for citizens and residents, creating greater transparency
The Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi (DGE) has announced a significant partnership with Microsoft and Core42, a subsidiary of G42, to implement a cutting-edge sovereign cloud system aimed at enhancing the efficiency and innovation of government services.
The multi-year agreement was formally signed by Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, chairman of DGE – Abu Dhabi, Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft, and Peng Xiao, group CEO of G42.
The new collaboration will create a high-performance sovereign cloud computing environment designed to process over 11 million daily digital interactions across Abu Dhabi government entities, businesses, citizens, and residents.
“This partnership is a critical milestone in our digital transformation,” said Al Kuttab. “By combining Microsoft’s cloud technologies, G42’s AI expertise, and the Government’s strategic vision, we are helping to enable a powerful platform that will redefine government services.”
Abu Dhabi aims to be a fully AI-native government by 2027
Abu Dhabi’s ambitious goal is to become the world’s first fully AI-native government by 2027. The initiative will enhance government services by increasing efficiency, improving accessibility for citizens and residents, creating greater transparency for businesses and investors, and fostering a more resilient and innovative public sector workforce.
Microsoft, Core42 supporting AI adoption in public sector
Nadella emphasised the role of AI in transforming government operations: “AI will transform how governments operate and serve their citizens everywhere, and Abu Dhabi is leading the way. Through our partnership with the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi and G42, we are setting a standard for AI adoption in the public sector.”
The agreement also aligns with the Abu Dhabi government’s commitment to digital infrastructure, with a significant Dhs13bn ($3.54bn) investment under the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025-2027.
The strategy includes the deployment of over 200 AI-driven solutions aimed at improving public service delivery, boosting productivity, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Among the initiatives already underway is TAMM 3.0, Abu Dhabi’s one-stop government services app, which has reduced offline customer visits by 90 per cent and enabled over 73 per cent of transactions to be processed instantly.
Peng Xiao, group CEO of G42, noted the transformative nature of the partnership: “This agreement marks a pivotal step in G42’s commitment to supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming the world’s first fully AI-native government.
“Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud, powered by Azure and enhanced by our sovereign controls platform, Insight, enables government entities to maintain data sovereignty while harnessing hyperscale innovation.”
This collaboration reflects Abu Dhabi’s vision of building a resilient, future-ready digital infrastructure, positioning AI modernisation as a key element of its strategy to provide efficient, people-centric services while adhering to the highest global standards of innovation.
Read: Microsoft invests $1.5bn in UAE’s G42 to power AI adoption
