Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered space technology company, said it is developing the country’s first sovereign mobility cloud, enabled by Core42’s Sovereign Public Cloud leveraging Microsoft Azure.

The project, announced at the Dubai World Congress, will provide a sovereign-enabled platform dedicated to smart mobility and autonomous systems, hosting services such as HD mapping, telematics, fleet operations, traffic management and digital twins.

Dr Fan Zhu, senior vice president of autonomous mobility at Space42, said: “The UAE has always led in technological innovation, and autonomous mobility is no exception. By building the nation’s first Sovereign Mobility Cloud with Core42 and Microsoft, we are setting a global standard for secure, trusted platforms in mobility and autonomous systems.”

Sherif Tawfik, chief partnership officer – AI & Cloud for Sovereignty at Microsoft, added: “Microsoft Azure delivers the secure, trusted foundation that empowers the UAE’s Sovereign Mobility Cloud. In partnership with G42 we have successfully combined world-class data residency, compliance, and confidential compute capabilities with Insight’s sovereign controls platform to ensure mobility and autonomous systems in the UAE are built on a platform that meets the highest standards for security and trust. This partnership sets a new benchmark for data sovereignty in the region.”

The Sovereign Mobility Cloud is designed to provide trusted infrastructure for mobility data and autonomous systems, enable secure data-sharing across government, industry and research stakeholders, and support intelligent transport initiatives.

Next steps include establishing reference deployments, regulatory sandboxes and test hubs in collaboration with UAE transport authorities, while engaging automotive, technology and academic partners to scale adoption.

Space42 to lead application deployment

Space42 will lead application deployment, regulatory engagement and adoption through pilots, demonstrations and rollouts. Microsoft and Core42 will provide the sovereign-enabled cloud foundation, AI platforms, and data governance frameworks to ensure regulatory compliance and data residency. Microsoft will also offer training, expertise and co-investment to support ecosystem growth.

The initiative builds on prior collaborations. In July 2025, Space42, Microsoft and Esri launched the Map Africa Initiative to create a continent-wide base map. Space42’s geospatial AI platform, GIQ, is also listed on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace.

Space42 has been advancing autonomous mobility in the UAE since 2021 through its TXAI service, which has recorded nearly 600,000 km of autonomous driving and 20,000 passenger trips without incident. The fleet operates across Saadiyat, Yas, Al Maryah and Al Reem Islands, as well as Abu Dhabi Airport.

In addition to robotaxis, the company is developing HD mapping, digital twins and AI-powered fleet operations. Combined with government investment in infrastructure and governance, these efforts are positioning Abu Dhabi as a global hub for intelligent transport.

Dubai Taxi Company (DTC), together with its strategic partner Bolt, has entered into an alliance with Kabi by Al Ghurair and UAE-based ride-hailing app Zed to integrate their fleets and expand e-hailing services in Dubai.

Kabi is part of Al Ghurair, one of the region’s largest family-owned conglomerates with operations in more than 20 countries.

The agreement was signed by Mansoor Rahma Alfalasi, CEO of DTC, and Badr Al Ghurair, CEO of Kabi, Al Ghurair Mobility. The partnership will see DTC’s 6,200 taxis and Kabi’s 3,680 taxis integrated into Bolt and Zed platforms, with future additions to both fleets automatically included.

The collaboration aims to boost availability, cut waiting times and improve overall service efficiency. It also supports the Dubai Government’s target of converting 80 per cent of taxi trips to e-hailing as part of the Roads and Transport Authority’s vision for smart mobility and sustainability.

Dubai Taxi Company alliance a key step for Kabi by Ghurair

“At DTC, we are committed to driving innovation and building partnerships that enhance customer experience while strengthening Dubai’s mobility ecosystem,” Alfalasi said. He added that the agreement comes as Dubai’s taxi sector recorded 7 per cent growth in H1 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to the RTA.

“This partnership represents a pivotal step in uniting industry expertise to serve the evolving needs of Dubai’s residents and visitors,” said Badr Al Ghurair. “By combining our resources and leveraging advanced technologies, we are not only expanding the availability of taxis but also setting new benchmarks in efficiency, service quality, and sustainability.”

DTC, recognised as a public joint stock company under Law No (21) of 2023, operates more than 10,000 vehicles including 6,200 taxis and completed 49 million trips in 2024.

The Gulf Business Awards 2025, held on September 24 at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, was nothing short of spectacular. Now in its 13th year, the event once again cemented its reputation as the region’s premier platform for celebrating innovation, resilience, leadership, and excellence across industries.

With more than 350 of the Gulf’s most influential executives, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers in attendance, the evening was a celebration not only of the winners, but of the remarkable progress and transformation taking place across the region’s business landscape.

The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi provided the backdrop for an evening of recognition and networking. Guests were welcomed to a red-carpet reception before gathering for a gala dinner that combined fine dining with thought-provoking conversations. The setting underscored the prestige of the Gulf Business Awards, elevating the sense of occasion for honourees, judges, and attendees alike.

Honouring visionaries and innovators

As always, the highlight of the night was the announcement of the award winners across company and leadership categories spanning banking, real estate, healthcare, technology, tourism, energy, and more.

Among the evening’s most celebrated honourees was Gerald Lawless, executive and former CEO of Jumeirah Group, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lawless was recognised for his decades-long impact on the hospitality sector and his role in shaping Dubai into a global tourism and leisure hub.

In his speech Lawless remarked: “I would like to dedicate this award to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. I have had such a privilege to have worked directly for His Highness in the creation and the establishment of the Jumeirah Group back in 1997 and I’ve spent beautiful years looking after that great company. I am so proud of what it has achieved, and so now it continues to achieve.”

Another major highlight was the Business Leader of the Year Award, presented to Rola Abu Manneh, CEO – UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, Standard Chartered. During her tenure, she has overseen significant growth in the UAE business and championed women’s empowerment and inclusive leadership across the region.

The Company of the Year Award went to Miral Group, the Abu Dhabi-based creator of immersive destinations and experiences. Miral was recognised for its ambitious projects, sustainable development ethos, and contribution to positioning Abu Dhabi as a global tourism and entertainment capital. From Yas Island to SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, Miral continues to embody the transformative power of visionary planning and execution.

The judging process

Winners were selected by an esteemed independent panel of judges, who brought decades of experience across media, finance, technology, and healthcare to the process.

The panel included Ian Fairservice, managing partner and group editor-in-chief, Motivate Media Group; Mishal Kanoo, chairman, The Kanoo Group; Jawad Jalal Abbassi, head of MENA, GSMA; Reenita Das, partner and senior vice president, Frost & Sullivan; and Gareth van Zyl, group editor, Gulf Business.

Fairservice noted: “Over more than a decade, these awards have become a benchmark for excellence, spotlighting the visionaries, trailblazers and companies shaping the region’s future. Gulf Business has been proud to chronicle this journey through our magazine and digital platforms, capturing the remarkable growth and transformation of the Gulf.”

Together, the judges ensured a fair and transparent evaluation process, focusing on merit, impact, and relevance to the region’s business ecosystem. Their insights and rigorous assessments helped to shine a spotlight on deserving winners while underscoring the depth of talent and innovation across the Gulf.

Beyond the awards themselves, the evening served as a powerful networking platform. Executives and entrepreneurs from across the GCC engaged in meaningful conversations about investment, digital transformation, and the region’s evolving economic priorities.

In his closing remarks, Gareth van Zyl, group editor of Gulf Business, said: “This year’s Awards underscored not only the incredible progress we’ve seen across the Gulf’s business ecosystem, but also the exciting future that lies ahead. These winners are setting new benchmarks for innovation and impact.”

Listed below are all the winners.

Company Awards

Real Estate Company of the Year: Refad Real Estate Investment and Development Company

Leader Awards

Editor’s Choice Awards

Overall Awards

Company of the Year: Miral Group

Citi Wealth has published its 2025 Global Family Office Report, providing insights into the strategies and priorities of some of the world’s most sophisticated investors. Produced by Citi Wealth’s Global Family Office Group—which works with more than 1,800 family offices globally—the report highlights investment sentiment, portfolio actions, and operational best practices against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty, and rapid technological transformation.

This year’s edition is based on a record 346 survey responses from family offices across 45 countries, conducted in June and July 2025. It captures how investor expectations and strategies have shifted following recent U.S. tariff announcements.

“These are exciting times for family offices worldwide—especially in the Middle East. A high proportion of first-generation families continue to control wealth, reflecting a resurgence of wealth creation in the region. At the same time, the UAE is experiencing a significant inflow of wealthy individuals relocating from abroad, further reinforcing its position as a global hub for family offices,” said Hannes Hofmann, head of Citi Wealth’s Global Family Office Group. “These sophisticated clients are finding new ways to address their families’ ever-increasing expectations. We are proud to partner with them, drawing upon Citi’s global reach and deep resources to help them seize potential opportunities and achieve their ambitious goals.”

Key findings from the 2025 report:

• Generational control of wealth: Europe, the Middle East and Africa (56 per cent) had the highest proportion of first-generation families in control, while Asia Pacific led in second-generation control (43 per cent), signaling market maturity.

• Geopolitical concerns: Trade disputes (60 per cent), U.S.-China relations (43 per cent), and inflation (37 per cent) ranked as top issues. This has spurred renewed focus on asset location and jurisdictional strategy.

• Steady allocations: Most family offices held allocations steady while awaiting clarity on trade policy. Among those making changes, private equity saw the most bullish activity.

• Optimism for returns: Despite uncertainty, family offices remain upbeat, citing potential US deregulation, rate cuts, and advances in AI as reasons for optimism.

• Active volatility response: US tariff moves triggered adjustments, with 39 per cent increasing active management, hedging, and shifts to defensive geographies.

• Direct investing: 70 per cent of family offices are engaged in direct deals, with 40 per cent increasing activity in the past year.

• Professionalisation gaps: More progress is needed in areas like risk management, cybersecurity, and succession planning.

• Outsourcing services: Many family offices are considering external support, though decision-making largely remains in-house.

• AI adoption: The share of offices deploying AI doubled year-on-year, particularly in operational automation and investment analytics.

Almost all respondents anticipated portfolio gains over the next 12 months, with nearly 40 per cent expecting returns of 10 per cent or more, though sentiment toward individual asset classes was more muted than in 2024.

“Family offices globally remain highly focused on direct investing, as they seek exposure to the key transformative technologies of tomorrow and attractively valued companies across sectors,” said Dawn Nordberg, Head of Integrated Client Engagement for Citi Wealth. “We have a specialist team that works alongside colleagues from Citi’s world-class investment bank. Our mission is to enable our sophisticated family office clients to access proprietary private capital raises, asset divestitures and thought leadership across industries and geographies to support their direct investing.”

Risk remains a core challenge. While 70 per cent cited investment-related risks, operational (37 per cent) and family-related risks (33 per cent) followed closely. However, around half admitted being underprepared for cybersecurity, personal security, and geopolitical threats, reflecting resource constraints.

“Our survey reveals ongoing professionalisation among family offices, particularly in the investment function,” said Alexandre Monnier, Head of Global Family Office Advisory for Citi Wealth. “It also identifies areas where further development is crucial, such as risk management and talent acquisition for non-investment services. Our findings can help frame the discussion for those seeking to formalise their operations, prepare their family’s future leaders and preserve and grow generational wealth.”

NBA legends including Oscar Robertson, Derrick Rose and Mark Jackson will headline activities at “NBA District” during the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2025 presented by ADQ, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi said in a statement.

The fan event will run from October 2 to 5 at Manarat Al Saadiyat alongside preseason games between the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers on October 2 and October 4 at Etihad Arena.

Other former NBA players set to attend include John Starks, Rudy Gay and Michael Carter-Williams. They will take part in interactive sessions with fans, panel discussions and on-site activities.

Activities at NBA week

“NBA District,” which returns for a fourth year, will feature a full-size NBA court, photo opportunities with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, limited-edition merchandise, and cultural programming. Concerts and performances are also planned, including a “Friday Night Concert” on October 3, featuring Siilawy, Tul8te, DJ Jack, Stick No Bills and DJ D-Nice.

A “Sunday Coffee Social” on October 5 will showcase local DJ Abu Dhabi House Movement.

Special packages offering VIP access and hospitality are available at nbaexperiences.com.

Tickets for the NBA Abu Dhabi Games are on sale on the etihad arena website and ticketmaster.ae.

Read: How NBA is deepening connections with Middle East basketball fans