Urban mobility in the UAE is undergoing a major transformation, driven by policy shifts, infrastructure investment, and sustainability goals. From new toll charges to expanding metro networks and the development of car-free districts, the country is rethinking how people move within its rapidly growing cities. These initiatives aim to cut congestion, reduce emissions, and align with national strategies to create smarter, more livable environments.

1. Toll reform: Pricing as a tool for mobility management

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are increasingly relying on dynamic toll schemes to influence commuter behavior.

Dubai’s dynamic Salik system

• Variable pricing, introduced in January 2025, charges Dhs6 during morning (6–10 AM) and evening (4–8 PM) rush hours, with off-peak rates at Dhs4. Free travel is available from 1 AM to 6 AM, and Sundays are uniformly Dhs4 throughout the day.

• This system led to a 9 per cent reduction in traffic on Sheikh Zayed Road, according to authorities.

• Coupled with dynamic parking tariffs, traffic dropped further, while public transport usage improved by an additional 1–4 per cent.

Abu Dhabi’s extended Darb toll hours

• From September 1, 2025, Abu Dhabi will extend Darb toll operating hours by two hours daily and remove daily and monthly fee caps, amplifying its influence on commuter habits.

These pricing strategies serve as powerful tools to steer drivers toward public transit and incentivise off-peak travel—a shift essential for urban sustainability.

2. Metro expansions: Fueling seamless connectivity

Dubai Metro innovations

• The existing Dubai Metro spans nearly 90 km, with 55 stations—35 on the Red Line and 20 on the Green Line. It’s fully automated, climate-controlled, and vital to city mobility.

• A new Blue Line, under construction, will add 30 km and 14 stations, expected to launch by September 2029.

• Metro station counts are projected to grow from 64 in 2025 to 96 by 2030, with broader expansions anticipated beyond 2040.

Nationwide rail integration: Etihad Rail

• The Etihad Rail system, set to start passenger service in 2026, will integrate with Dubai’s metro, bus, and taxi networks under the NOL unified ticketing system.

• Beyond enhancing convenience, it will serve cargo and reduce reliance on road freight—reducing CO₂ emissions and road congestion meaningfully.

These expansions aim to create a cohesive, accessible network—encouraging modal shift and underpinning economic flows across the Emirates.

3. Car-free zones and ‘Soft Mobility’: Rethinking urban zones

While infrastructure grows, UAE cities are also championing car-free spaces and soft mobility.

Expanded cycling and pedestrian infrastructure

• Since 2006, Dubai increased its network from 9 km to 544 km of dedicated cycling tracks, aiming for 1,000 km by 2030. These connect coastal zones like Jumeirah with inland communities such as Dubai Hills, and aligning with Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan to create a more bicycle-friendly and sustainable city.

• As part of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, the Dubai Walk Master Plan has been approved to transform the emirate into a pedestrian-friendly city. The initiative will deliver a 6,500 km network of modern walkways spanning 160 areas, including 3,300 km of new walkways and the rehabilitation of 2,300 km of existing paths. The plan aims to boost pedestrian and soft mobility across the city, raising its share of overall transport from 13% today to 25% by 2040, supporting Dubai’s vision of enhancing quality of life and sustainability.

Urban enhancements and driverless vehicles

• The UAE, through the RTA, is exploring advanced transport systems, including elevated, driverless Sky Pods.

• The Dubai Loop, unveiled in February 2025, will have a 17 km underground tunnel system transporting up to 20,000 passengers/hr, seamlessly linked to the metro. Developed in collaboration with The Boring Company, the system will leverage sustainable, innovative technologies to deliver safe and efficient passenger transport. The company’s Loop system has already carried more than two million passengers in Las Vegas since its launch in 2021.

• Masdar City in Abu Dhabi restricts private vehicles to peripheral parking, relying on autonomous shuttles and electric transport within a compact, pedestrian-first environment.

These innovations showcase a deliberate shift from car-dependent paradigms toward novel, sustainable mobility ecosystems.

4. Business impacts: What this means for employers and investors

Shifting commuting patterns

• Toll hikes and metro connectivity incentivise commuters to shift away from solitary car commuting. Businesses may need to adjust work hours or sponsor pooled transportation to support employees and manage operational costs.

Growing need for intermodal infrastructure

• As metro expansions and Etihad Rail roll out, businesses should anticipate logistics recalibration, last-mile services, and potential for regional hubs near transit nodes.

Sustainability and ESG alignment

• These mobility shifts align closely with corporate ESG goals, offering avenues to reduce Scope 3 emissions by promoting shared and electric transport options.

5. Strategic outlook: From policy to mobility culture

A behavioral pivot for commuters

• Toll strategies and extended metro hours (especially during summer) are nudging a cultural shift toward off-peak travel and public transport reliance.

Balancing infrastructure with innovation

• UAE authorities are pairing traditional infrastructure—roads, metro lines—with cutting-edge transit models like Sky Pods and underground loops to preempt congestion.

Toward the 20-minute city vision

• The Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan places strong emphasis on the value of time in daily life, recognising that efficient commuting and easy access to essential services are central to improving quality of life and overall wellbeing. As part of this vision, the city will feature integrated service centres designed to ensure residents can access key facilities and destinations within 20 minutes, either on foot or by bicycle. The strategy supports sustainable pedestrian, cycling, and public transport mobility across Dubai. The plan also aims to position 55 per cent of residents within 800 metres of mass transit stations, enabling them to meet 80 per cent of their daily needs and reach essential destinations quickly and sustainably.

UAE cities are undergoing a transportation renaissance. Toll reforms, metro expansions, and pedestrian-first innovations are laying the groundwork for smarter, sustainable, and more efficient urban mobility. For businesses, this means adapting to evolving commuting trends, tapping into new development potential, and aligning operations with environmental and societal imperatives. In this era of mobility transformation, proactive strategies will be essential for staying competitive—and contributing to the UAE’s urban future.

The Gulf region is undergoing a rapid transformation in healthcare, with major investments in infrastructure and a growing demand for accessible, innovative diagnostic solutions. Across eight cluster markets — Bahrain, Iraq, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen — healthcare systems face diverse challenges, from early detection to decentralised care. To support this growth, Roche Diagnostics Middle East is expanding its leadership team, with Sylvie Demirdjian taking on the role of Gulf & Channel Partner Network Lead, effective August 1.

For Demirdjian, who has been with Roche since 2004, the appointment represents both a personal milestone and a strategic investment by the company in local leadership.

“I feel truly inspired to work at Roche and very proud of my journey here,” she said. “Since joining in 2004, I’ve been given the opportunity to grow, to take on new challenges, and to lead diverse teams across different markets, from Lebanon to France, and now across a group of markets as Gulf & Channel Partner Network Lead. Each step has prepared me with new perspectives, greater resilience, and a deeper understanding of how to build teams and partnerships that make a real impact.”

Strengthening presence in growth markets

The Gulf is a pivotal growth region for Roche Diagnostics, supported by large-scale healthcare transformation programmes, investments in medical infrastructure, and national strategies that emphasise early detection and preventative healthcare.

“The Gulf and Partner markets are an exciting growth area for Roche, with a growing demand for high-quality, accessible diagnostic solutions,” Demirdjian noted. “My goal is to ensure people across the region have fast, fair access to high-quality, innovative diagnostics.”

Her immediate priorities include engaging with stakeholders across the eight cluster countries, forging stronger local partnerships, and developing local talent. “It is only through strong local engagement that we are able to deliver in such a diverse and dynamic environment,” she added.

As part of Roche’s regional leadership team, Demirdjian will also represent these markets in broader forums such as EMEA-LATAM, ensuring that local needs are included in global strategy.

A long-term vision rooted in partnerships

Roche’s long-term vision for the Gulf focuses on building sustainable and agile partner networks that can respond to evolving healthcare challenges.

“At Roche we focus on ‘doing now what patients need next’; this means that our strategy will always be rooted in building trusted sustainable partnerships that can grow and adapt to the changing needs of the country’s healthcare systems,” she said.

Demirdjian emphasised that Roche’s approach goes beyond short-term transactions. “We are not just looking at short-term transactions; we are committed to creating long-term value by investing in our partners’ capabilities, aligning closely with the market’s priorities, and ensuring that together we can respond quickly to what patients need next.”

By deepening collaboration with governments, healthcare leaders, and pharma partners, Roche aims to strengthen health systems so they can deliver lasting access to diagnostics.

Innovation at the core of healthcare delivery

The Gulf markets are poised to benefit from an unprecedented wave of innovation. Roche is preparing to launch its highest-ever number of new products in the Middle East in 2025.

“2025 will see the launch of the highest number of innovative product launches in the Middle East, a clear signal of our commitment to advancing healthcare in the Gulf,” Demirdjian said.

A major focus is decentralising diagnostics through near-patient care solutions, which reduce reliance on central laboratories and bring testing closer to patients. The integration of LumiraDx into Roche’s portfolio has been a significant milestone, expanding rapid testing capabilities across conditions ranging from infectious diseases to non-communicable illnesses.

Read: Insights: How AI is redefining diagnostics and surgery

“This means faster, evidence-based clinical decisions that reach more patients, and improve efficiency across healthcare systems,” Demirdjian explained.

Such solutions align with national strategies. In Qatar, for example, Roche has worked with health authorities under Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy to integrate evidence-based diagnostics into healthcare systems.

Addressing unique challenges in Iraq

In Iraq, where healthcare infrastructure faces particular strain, Roche has renewed its strategic partnership with the Ministry of Health to expand access to diagnostics.

“The healthcare system in Iraq faces a unique set of challenges, including limited access to services for those in more rural locations,” Demirdjian noted.

Projects under this partnership include digital transformation initiatives, enhanced diagnostic capabilities, and public health education campaigns on early detection. “Agreements like these emphasise the continuation of educational initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of early disease detection — which is crucial for improving treatment outcomes,” she added.

Partnerships as a driver of resilience

“Partnership is in Roche’s DNA — in the Middle East, Roche is building on 60+ years of partnership legacy of bringing innovation to the region,” Demirdjian said.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) remain central to Roche’s approach. By aligning with national healthcare strategies and working directly with ministries, Roche is co-developing programmes in early detection, digital transformation, and laboratory infrastructure improvement.

“These collaborations also make healthcare systems more resilient and adaptable. When we work with both public and private sector innovators, we can pilot new technologies, share best practice, and scale up quickly when something proves effective,” Demirdjian explained.

Diagnostics as the foundation of prevention

Across the Gulf, preventive care is a key national priority, and diagnostics play a foundational role.

“Diagnostics are the foundation of preventative healthcare — you can’t intervene early if you don’t detect early,” Demirdjian stressed.

One notable example is Roche’s collaboration in Qatar, where its Accu-Chek devices are integrated into school health clinics and connected to health centers. This supports the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) in managing diabetes among schoolchildren.

“This initiative supports the PHCC in managing diabetes among schoolchildren by facilitating screening and continuous monitoring of diagnosed students. It provides authorities with a comprehensive overview and equips caregivers with the necessary tools to proactively manage the condition,” she explained.

Building capacity through partner training

For Roche, the success of innovation depends on the readiness of its partner network.

“We see our partners as an extension of Roche, so equipping them to deliver innovation is a priority,” Demirdjian said.

Training programmes cover not only technical expertise for lab technicians and healthcare professionals, but also capacity building across marketing, regulatory, and market access functions. “By strengthening technical knowledge and practice skills, we help ensure that when new solutions are introduced, they can be implemented effectively and delivered from day one,” she said.

Looking to the future: purpose and progress

Demirdjian sees the Gulf as one of the most ambitious healthcare markets globally, with strong government investment in transformation and innovation.

“The Gulf region is an ambitious market, one that is actively investing in healthcare transformation — and Roche is well positioned to be a catalyst in that change,” she said.

Looking ahead, Roche aims to scale decentralised testing, expand early detection for chronic and infectious diseases, and integrate AI-driven diagnostics into workflows.

“What excites me most is the opportunity to combine our innovation pipeline and our commitment to facilitating equitable healthcare access for patients in our partner network, to deliver real, measurable improvements in patient care,” Demirdjian said.

For her, the essence of the role is clear: “Our collective focus remains where it matters most: delivering lasting value and better outcomes for patients.”

Dubai ranked among the world’s top three prime residential markets for capital appreciation in H1 2025, as values climbed more than 5 per cent, outpacing the global average, real estate consultancy Savills said in its latest index.

The gains were supported by rising immigration flows, steady investor confidence and limited luxury supply. Savills forecast prime values in Dubai to rise a further 4 to 5.9 per cent in the second half of the year, keeping the city among the world’s strongest performers.

Prime rental values in Dubai rose 2.9 per cent in the past six months and 13.3 per cent in the year to June, reflecting moderating yet resilient growth after a strong run.

Renewal rates remain high as Dubai continues to attract high-net-worth individuals and international buyers seeking long-term residence.

Dubai’s prime residential market continues to draw interest

“Despite wider macroeconomic uncertainty, Dubai’s prime residential market continues to demonstrate stability bolstered by strong fundamentals,” said Andrew Cummings, head of Residential Agency, Savills Middle East. “The city’s global connectivity, investor-friendly policies and ongoing infrastructure development continue to underpin its status as one of the world’s leading real estate markets.”

Across the 30 global cities tracked by Savills, prime capital values grew by just 0.7 per cent in H1 2025, while rental values rose 2 per cent. Tokyo led with an 8.8 per cent rise in capital values, while Berlin and Seoul also posted growth above 5 per cent alongside Dubai.

Savills projects average capital value growth of 1.5 per cent and rental growth of 1 per cent across the global markets in H2 2025, with Dubai expected to remain one of the top performers.

The report also highlighted mortgage dynamics in the UAE, where loan terms typically span 15 to 30 years with fixed and variable options.

Minimum deposits are 15 per cent for nationals and 20 per cent for expatriates.

In the prime segment, mortgages are often used strategically for capital efficiency and liquidity management rather than affordability.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is digitising driver training and qualification through its ‘Tadreeb’ platform, which links all driving institutes across the emirate and fully automates training processes, assessments, and trainee data management.

The platform, managed by RTA’s Licensing Agency, serves about 250,000 trainees annually, delivering more than six million hours of training.

It operates across 27 institutes, supported by over 3,400 instructors and more than 3,000 training vehicles. Each vehicle route is geo-tracked and linked to the main system, creating a paperless training process.

“The purpose of the platform is to identify the needs of trainees based on analysed data, ensuring quality training and licensing a pool of skilled, professional drivers,” said Ahmed Mahboob, CEO of RTA’s Licensing Agency. “It also contributes to achieving the highest safety standards, enhancing performance quality, and strengthening governance processes in line with global best practices.”

Benefits of RTA’s Tadreeb platform

According to RTA, the system has improved training quality, enhanced transparency in assessments, and helped reduce fatalities among new drivers. Integrated smart dashboards monitor training indicators and automate evaluation criteria, while links to relevant authorities halve permit waiting times, reduce costs, and enable remote monitoring.

Compliance among trainers with required training stages has reached 97 per cent.

Tadreeb is the first unified driver training platform globally to be recognised by the International Commission for Driver Testing (CIECA) and recently received the Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.

RTA said future developments will include deeper use of artificial intelligence to personalise training, automate oversight, and enhance the customer experience.

Read: RTA wraps up traffic upgrades at 10 school zones, 27 schools to benefit

Just five years ago, few would’ve imagined that generative AI would move from research labs into our daily workflows, drafting contracts, writing code, diagnosing medical conditions, and shaping government policies. What started as a curiosity is now embedded across boardrooms, classrooms, hospitals, and ministries in the Middle East and beyond.

We’re in an era where AI can simulate economies, flag emerging health threats, and interpret complex regulations faster than a team of experts would ever be able to do on their own. And yet, those of us closest to the work know that we’re only getting started.

We are entering a phase where AI will move from supporting tasks to independently managing them. It will make decisions, manage processes, and deliver results with minimal human oversight. This marks a transition to a new class of systems; intelligent teammates capable of driving outcomes autonomously. And they will be powered by agentic AI.

What is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI refers to autonomous systems that can take a goal, break it down into steps, adapt to real-time changes, and execute independently. Think of it as the evolution from guided support to true operational autonomy.

Imagine assigning an AI agent the task of reducing procurement costs. Rather than just retrieving data, it would analyze historical trends, identify savings opportunities, request quotes, and recommend contract changes end-to-end. A healthcare agent might triage symptoms, prioritize cases, and even refer patients.

This isn’t a distant vision. It’s already happening. In logistics, agentic AI is being explored in areas like fleet routing, inventory management and disruption response. The banking, retail and manufacturing sectors are leveraging agentic AI for customer service automation, supply chain enhancement and real-time financial anomaly detection.

Agentic AI can power businesses by embedding AI agents into core functions like procurement, productivity, and process automation. In procurement it identifies high-performing, sustainable suppliers, accelerates sourcing-to-award cycles, ensures compliance, and drives measurable savings.

It can drive productivity by empowering teams to deploy no-code AI agents that coordinate workflows, surface knowledge, and make intelligent decisions faster, more accurately, and at greater scale than human-led systems that reduce project cycles from weeks to days.

To support executive adoption and strategic deployment, an AI-native, voice-enabled application has been developed that enhances executive and boardroom decision-making by automating meeting preparation, enabling real-time insights and cross-referencing, and streamlining post-meeting reporting.

It’s role in the future

As agentic AI adoption picks up across the globe, its greatest impact will be felt not just in how it optimises workflows, but how it empowers people. By handling repetitive, high-volume tasks, agentic systems allow professionals to focus on strategic, creative, and high-trust work – the areas where human judgment is essential.

This evolution can help businesses and governments build smarter, faster, and more resilient operations, without added complexity or overheads. In a region deeply invested in digital transformation and talent development, this shift can play a major role in accelerating progress toward achieving digital ambitions.

Indeed, the real opportunity lies in how seamlessly these systems become part of everyday work. Success won’t be defined by the tools themselves, but by how effectively they support people, processes, and decision-making. This means creating environments where AI not just assists but accelerates human potential at every level.

Preparing for the shift

Of course, greater autonomy demands greater care. Agentic systems must be built with security, transparency, and accountability from the start. They need to operate within local legal and cultural frameworks, and their outputs must be explainable – especially in high-stakes environments.

The shift toward agentic AI is already underway. For businesses, the focus now should be on incorporating systems that deliver lasting value and integrate seamlessly into operations, supporting real-world goals, adapting to change, and elevating human capability at every level.

The writer is the CEO of Inception, a G42 Company.