Digital Dubai’s Dh31 billion contribution has helped propel the emirate to fifth place globally, driven by strong trust, innovation, and ease of doing business, further enhancing its international appeal.
Dubai’s place brand value has risen to nearly Dh1 trillion, highlighting the emirate’s growing global economic strength and reputation, according to a new Brand Finance study.
The report also ranks Dubai as the world’s fifth most powerful city brand, up from seventh place previously, reflecting improved perceptions of its reputation, investment attractiveness, and future growth potential.
Brand familiarity for Digital Dubai reached 92%, while its Brand Strength Index stood at 77.7 out of 100, indicating strong public awareness and engagement.
The Brand Finance Global City Index, which is based on surveys of more than 15,000 respondents across 20 markets, assesses cities based on perceptions related to living, working, investing, and visiting.
A key factor behind this rise has been the emirate’s digital ecosystem, with Digital Dubai playing a major role in strengthening both brand value and brand strength.
According to the study, Digital Dubai contributed around Dh31 billion (about $8.5 billion) to the emirate’s overall brand value and added 1.9 points to Dubai’s City Brand Strength Index, helping push the city into the global top five.
Dubai scored 86 out of 100 on the index, reflecting strong performance in familiarity, reputation, and consideration—key metrics used by Brand Finance to evaluate city brands worldwide.
The findings highlight the growing influence of digital transformation on how cities are perceived. Digital Dubai received an AA+ rating, placing it among the world’s leading digital government entities and reinforcing its role in boosting Dubai’s global standing.
The study also showed strong trust in the emirate’s digital ecosystem, with Digital Dubai scoring 8.4 out of 10 for both trust and reputation among residents and businesses, indicating rising confidence in its digital infrastructure and services.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, said the results reflect the central role of digital transformation in enhancing the emirate’s competitiveness. He noted that the digital ecosystem has evolved beyond infrastructure to become “an integral part of the experience of living, working and investing in Dubai,” and a key driver of trust and global appeal.
Tariq Al Janahi, CEO of the Corporate Enablement Sector at Digital Dubai, said the ecosystem now serves as a core enabler of economic growth and innovation, directly supporting Dubai’s position as a leading global digital city.
Brand Finance CEO David Haigh said the findings highlight the growing importance of digital infrastructure in shaping a city’s global competitiveness and reputation, noting that trusted digital systems are now central to global attractiveness.
Beyond its financial impact, the study found that Digital Dubai has also strengthened perceptions of the city as a hub for innovation and startups, improved ease of doing business, reduced bureaucracy, and enhanced Dubai’s appeal as a destination for talent and investment.
Overall, the report concludes that Dubai’s digital transformation is delivering both economic and reputational gains, reinforcing its position among the world’s most influential and valuable city brands.
