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In its recent white paper, The State of Global Sustainability Disclosures, Sprih Inc. analysed more than 200,000 reports from over 80,000 companies worldwide, creating one of the largest repositories of corporate sustainability data ever assembled. The findings show that sustainability reporting is no longer a fringe exercise.Yet comparability and consistency remain mainly out of reach for many businesses. 

According to Sprih, this is where artificial intelligence must move from being a reporting tool to becoming the backbone of ESG intelligence.

Increasing visibility

The white paper, powered by SustainSense, Sprih’s climate AI engine, reveals a paradox. Disclosure rates for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions are relatively mature across many regions and sectors and near-term targets are widely adopted. Energy consumption is commonly reported in aggregate.

Yet when we move beyond headline figures, fragmentation becomes obvious.

Scope 3 emissions, which are often the largest share of a company’s footprint, remain inconsistently disclosed. Water reuse and rainwater harvesting data are scarce and waste categorisation varies widely. Smaller firms, particularly those under US$100mn in revenue, lag significantly in both completeness and consistency.

The paper explains that without standardisation, sustainability disclosures risk becoming a patchwork of narratives rather than a coherent dataset. This makes investors struggle to benchmark risk, while regulators face uneven compliance landscapes. Moreover, procurement leaders lack visibility across supply chains and executives are left navigating strategy with incomplete maps.

But AI can help change this equation.

Teaching machines the language of sustainability

One of the most powerful insights from the white paper is methodological. SustainSense does not merely collect documents; it extracts, classifies, validates and normalises data across languages, formats and reporting frameworks. In other words, it teaches machines to understand sustainability.

This matters because ESG data is not structured by default. It sits inside PDFs, integrated annual reports, regulatory filings and standalone sustainability documents. Terminology can differ across jurisdictions and definitions evolve. Units can vary and even the placement of data within reports is inconsistent.

Agentic AI architectures, as described in the paper, create a structured layer on top of this chaos. They identify emissions figures, distinguish between location-based and market-based Scope 2 data, harmonise water metrics and align targets to recognised definitions such as near-term, long-term and net zero.

The result is not just a larger dataset, but a comparable one.

When thousands of disclosures are translated into a common analytical framework, patterns emerge. Europe’s leadership in comprehensive target-setting becomes quantifiable. Asia’s relative lag in Scope 3 transparency becomes measurable. The maturity gradient between large enterprises and SMEs becomes visible at scale.

According to Sprih, this is not anecdotal ESG, but rather "it is systemic ESG intelligence."

A strategic asset

For many companies, sustainability reporting continues to feel like a compliance obligation. But the white paper offers some hope. 

Executives can use AI-driven benchmarking to understand where their disclosure quality signals strength – or exposes weakness. Investors can assess governance resilience by examining not just target announcements, but the consistency of underlying metrics. Regulators can identify sectors where harmonisation efforts must intensify.

Crucially, AI can also surface blind spots. The analysis shows that while total energy consumption is widely reported, the breakdown between renewable and non-renewable energy is less consistent. Water withdrawal is commonly disclosed, but treatment and reuse metrics are rare. Waste generation is more visible than circularity performance.

These gaps, it seems, are not simply technical. They represent risk. In a climate-constrained world, incomplete value-chain data or poor resource visibility translates into financial exposure. AI could help transform ESG into static into dynamic risk management.

Better AI systems

Perhaps the most compelling idea in the white paper is the call for a global climate intelligence layer. If corporate disclosures are the raw material, AI is the infrastructure that makes them usable.

Imagine a landscape where investors can benchmark Scope 3 intensity across sectors in seconds; where procurement teams can map supplier emissions maturity; where policymakers can evaluate regional adoption of net-zero commitments with precision rather than estimates. Sprih says that this is not speculative, as it is already emerging. 

However, the technology community must recognise that scale alone is insufficient. AI systems must be transparent, auditable and continuously learning. They must adapt as reporting frameworks evolve and new regulatory requirements emerge. They must balance automation with validation to ensure trust.

Equally, companies must view AI not as a shortcut to green credentials, but as a tool for accountability. The question for the market is no longer whether AI will shape ESG. It is whether organisations are ready to operate in a world where sustainability performance is no longer hidden in footnotes, but illuminated by intelligence at scale.

Technology

Polynome AI Academy, in partnership with Abu Dhabi School of Management (ADSM), has unveiled the expanded global instructor lineup for the second cohort of its Executive Program for Chief AI Officers (CAIO), running from 10-21 April 2026 in Abu Dhabi.

The programme brings together leading AI experts from NVIDIA, Mubadala, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), G42, AI71, and top research institutions to equip senior executives with the frameworks and tools needed to lead AI initiatives at organisational and national scale.

It was created in response to growing demand from governments and large enterprises for structured AI leadership. It aims to provide CAIOs and senior executives with governance frameworks, operating models, and decision-making structures that can support AI strategy and deployment across complex environments.

“The first cohort confirmed what we’ve long believed: the CAIO role requires a dedicated programme built for the realities of leading AI at scale,” said Alexander Khanin, Founder of Polynome Group. “Executives came to Abu Dhabi and left with actionable strategies they are already putting into practice. By 2027, AI is expected to guide half of all business decisions. Cohort 2 builds on this momentum with a refined curriculum and fresh global perspectives.”

Dr. Tayeb Kamali, Chairman of Abu Dhabi School of Management, added, “The first cohort demonstrated the demand we anticipated; top executives across the region recognise that AI strategy cannot simply be delegated. The programme equips leaders with the skills to navigate AI adoption and translate technological potential into real business impact.”

The inaugural programme in November 2025 attracted 35 C-suite executives and senior technology leaders. Participants completed ten modules covering AI strategy, sovereign AI infrastructure, governance frameworks, agentic systems, Arabic NLP, AI investment strategy, and enterprise deployment methodology. The programmeme also included site visits to the UAE Cybersecurity Council, Core42’s Khazna data centres, ADNOC, and executive roundtables with policymakers.

“The Executive Chief AI programme is unlike any course I’ve attended,” said Dr. Noura AlDhaheri, Chairman of DNA Investments. “It brings us directly to the AI creators, experts, and leaders, offering insight into real challenges and the evolving AI landscape. AI is set to transform business, and staying ahead is essential.”

Confirmed instructors for Cohort 2 include Dr. George Tilesch, Dr. Andrew Jackson, Prof. Merouane Debbah, Prof. Nizar Habash, Dr. John Ashley, Charbel Aoun, Jean-Christophe Bernardini, Faris Al Mazrui, Chiara Marcati, and Jorge Colotto, with more to be announced.

The 10-day programme combines executive seminars, case labs, operating model workshops, site visits to AI institutions, and policymaker roundtables, offering lifetime access to the CAIO alumni network. It targets CAIOs, CTOs, CIOs, CISOs, public sector advisors, and senior digital transformation leaders, preparing them to lead AI strategy, governance, and enterprise deployment effectively.

Technology

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of EcoStruxure™ Foxboro Software Defined Automation (SDA), describing it as the industry’s first open, software-defined distributed control system (DCS).

The new platform combines the established reliability of Foxboro systems with the flexibility of software-defined automation, aimed at helping hybrid and process industry customers modernise operations more quickly and with lower risk.

For decades, Foxboro DCS has functioned as the core control system for complex industrial operations, enabling real-time coordination of processes. However, Schneider Electric said evolving industrial requirements now demand greater agility, simplified compliance and fewer costly system upgrades. EcoStruxure Foxboro SDA has been developed to address these needs by delivering enhanced scalability, flexibility and cost efficiency while maintaining high levels of reliability.

The importance of open industrial systems was underscored in Schneider Electric’s recent global research report with Omdia, which found that closed systems cost mid-sized industrial companies an estimated 7.5% of annual revenue due to downtime, inefficiencies and compliance-related retrofits.

Hany Fouda, Senior Vice President, Process Automation at Schneider Electric, said the launch represents a pivotal moment for the sector. “EcoStruxure™ Foxboro SDA marks a defining moment for industrial automation. By embracing openness and software-defined architecture, we’re giving our customers the agility to modernise without compromise, protecting their investments while unlocking future-ready capabilities. This evolution is a strategic enabler for digital transformation.”

Developed in response to customer challenges such as ageing systems and rising costs, Foxboro SDA decouples hardware from software, enabling organisations to retain existing infrastructure while adopting a smoother, lower-risk modernisation pathway. Schneider Electric said this approach simplifies workflows, accelerates access to operational insights and supports long-term performance improvements.

Powered by EcoStruxure Automation Expert, the system is designed to enable interoperability, rapid deployment and fit-for-purpose configurations while maintaining high availability. By separating control logic from hardware, it supports vendor independence and scalable architectures. Built in line with IEC 62443-3-3 cybersecurity standards, the platform is designed to support IT and OT convergence, artificial intelligence and machine learning integration, and the transition towards more autonomous Industry 4.0 operations.

The system also enables digital continuity across the plant lifecycle, from design and engineering through to production and maintenance. By keeping data consistent and connected, Foxboro SDA supports automated workflows, improved product quality and integration with advanced analytics tools to enable real-time business decision-making.

Craig Resnick, Vice President at ARC Advisory Group, said the launch represents a significant shift in process automation. “By decoupling control logic from hardware, Schneider Electric is providing manufacturers with the agility to scale, adapt and simplify their operations. This software-defined approach helps reduce maintenance costs, protect legacy automation investments and ensure digital continuity throughout the entire plant lifecycle,” he said.

“With cybersecurity built into its core and a commitment to open, interoperable standards, Foxboro SDA enables manufacturers to modernise at their own pace, accelerate IT and OT convergence and expand adoption of next-generation technologies such as AI, edge computing and autonomous operations.”

Schneider Electric said the platform provides customers with a future-ready upgrade path, embedded cybersecurity and simplified operations, positioning Foxboro SDA not just as a control system, but as a strategic foundation for long-term digital transformation.

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Energy

Energy

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is set to become the world’s largest hydrogen exporter by 2060, while maintaining a dominant position in global oil and gas markets, according to DNV’s Oil & Gas Decarbonization in the Gulf Region report

The report highlights how Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are cutting the emissions intensity of their core oil and gas production while continuing to play a central role in global energy supply, presenting a picture of a region approaching the energy transition from a position of confidence and capital strength. Reductions in emissions intensity are occurring alongside continued hydrocarbon production and investment across renewables, electrification, hydrogen, methane abatement, digitalisation, and carbon capture.

Since 2005, the GCC has produced nearly 18% of global oil and gas, a share expected to increase as investment continues in low-cost, advantaged resources. As global energy demand increasingly shifts toward Asia, the region’s location and cost competitiveness strengthen its position as a preferred supplier. At the same time, decarbonization measures are becoming an integral part of long-term competitiveness.

“The global energy transition will not progress at the same pace across regions, nor will it follow a single pathway,” said Brice Le Gallo, vice-president & regional director for Southern Europe, MEA & LATAM, Energy Systems at DNV. “In the Middle East, oil and gas remain central to economic stability and global energy security. The key challenge is to reduce their emissions footprint while accelerating investment in the technologies needed for a lower-carbon energy system.”

Electrification is being used to cut Scope 2 emissions from pumps, compressors, and offshore facilities, through grid connections, renewable power, and hybrid solutions. These efforts are supported by energy-efficiency measures and the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence to optimise drilling, reservoir management, and asset operations, reducing energy intensity and emissions per barrel produced.

Methane reduction remains one of the most immediate and cost-effective options for lowering emissions. Across the GCC, routine flaring is planned to be phased out by 2030 and leak detection and repair (LDAR) programmes are increasingly standard. National oil companies are also aligning with international methane initiatives, enabling continued production growth while reducing methane intensity in line with national net-zero targets.

GCC countries are realigning domestic energy systems to reduce oil and gas use domestically and free up volumes for export and low-carbon fuel production. Growth in renewables, electrification of transport and buildings, and efficiency gains are driving this shift. Investment in downstream industries, petrochemicals, and low-carbon fuels is also changing export profiles, moving beyond crude oil toward higher-value and lower-carbon energy products.

With access to low-cost natural gas, strong solar resources, and established industrial and export infrastructure, the region is well placed to scale both low-carbon hydrogen (produced from natural gas with carbon capture) and renewable hydrogen produced through electrolysis. By 2060, the Middle-East and North Africa region is projected to produce around 19 million tonnes of hydrogen and 13 million tonnes of ammonia per year, exporting about 50%, mainly toward Europe and advanced Asian economies.

“Hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon capture are becoming core elements of the GCC’s energy export model,” said Jan Zschommler, market area manager for the Middle East, Energy Systems at DNV. “As emissions requirements tighten, access to international markets will increasingly depend on carbon intensity. Integrating hydrogen production with renewable power, carbon capture, and existing industrial clusters allows the region to remain competitive while meeting these requirements.”

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is also set to grow. In January 2026, the UAE's Supreme Council for Financial and Economic Affairs has introduced Carbon Capture Policy as a further commitment to meeting their carbon reduction targets. Captured CO₂ volumes (including CO₂ removal) are expected to reach around 250 million tonnes per year by 2060, equivalent to roughly 8% of regional energy-related and industrial emissions.

Bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS) and direct air capture (DAC) combined are expected to remove around 81 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2060, helping to offset emissions from sectors that are more difficult to decarbonise.

The full report is available at https://www.dnv.com/energy-transition-outlook/oil-and-gas-decarbonization-in-the-gulf-region/

Energy storage has moved to the forefront of global innovation activity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Water

Water

Ecolab, a global leader in sustainability solutions for water, hygiene and infection prevention, has signed a non-binding MoU with the Saudi Water Authority (SWA) aimed at accelerating water innovation and supporting the Kingdom’s long-term sustainability ambitions.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment to advancing more efficient, resilient and circular water systems in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The MoU was formalised during the US-Saudi Water Summit 2025, held last month in Palo Alto, California. The summit brought together international water sector leaders to discuss emerging challenges, technological advances and collaborative models capable of transforming water management across the Kingdom. Against a backdrop of rising demand, climate pressures and industrial expansion, the agreement highlights the growing importance of public-private partnerships in securing Saudi Arabia’s water future.

Under the MoU, SWA and Ecolab will collaborate to position sustainable water management as a strategic enabler of national development. By improving water efficiency and reuse, the partnership aims to help safeguard scarce water resources while enhancing water quality across key sectors. These efforts are also expected to deliver wider environmental and economic benefits, including reduced energy consumption, lower CO2 emissions and improved operational efficiency for industrial and commercial operators.

The framework for cooperation includes the exchange of technical insights and best practices across sectors such as data centres, refineries, petrochemicals, heavy industry, desalination, manufacturing, food and beverage, and hospitality.

Key areas of partnership

The collaboration also covers support for water source selection, regulatory development and performance monitoring, alongside workshops focused on advanced digital solutions such as smart water systems and predictive maintenance. In addition, the partners will explore pilot projects within Saudi industrial cities, applying Ecolab’s global technologies under local operating conditions, and identify opportunities to support innovation initiatives, including Rabigh Oasis, the Global Water Innovation Prize (GWIP), collaborative research and development roundtables, and broader innovation promotion programmes.

Ecolab has maintained a strong presence in Saudi Arabia for more than four decades through its Nalco Water business, supporting major industrial players in optimising water use. Today, its solutions are deployed across energy, manufacturing, food and hospitality, helping organisations conserve water, reduce energy consumption and strengthen long-term business resilience while meeting sustainability goals.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Ibrahim Al-Abdulkarim, President of the Saudi Water Authority, highlighted the partnership as a step toward building a world-class water sector that safeguards resources, supports national growth, and demonstrates how innovation and sustainability can secure water for future generations in line with Vision 2030.

Stefan Umiastowski, Ecolab’s Senior Vice President & CEO for India, Middle East, and Africa, said, “This collaboration represents an important step in advancing Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 commitment to long-term water sustainability in a region where water is one of the most critical resources. As digitalization and AI reshape economies and create new demand patterns, intelligent water management has become essential for sustainable growth. By combining Ecolab's global innovation capabilities with the SWA’s vision and local expertise, we're creating a powerful platform to scale water transformation across the Kingdom's most strategic industries.”

Overall, the MoU demonstrates how closer collaboration between government and industry can translate sustainability ambitions into measurable outcomes, supporting the transition towards Net Zero while enhancing industrial competitiveness and water security across Saudi Arabia.

Construction

Construction

Zebra Technologies Corporation, a global leader in digitising and automating workflows, has announced a successful deployment of its FS40 fixed industrial scanners and ET60 tablets at Royal Canin’s warehouse in Cambrai, France.
 
The implementation, carried out by Zebra partner WIIO, has delivered a 50% increase in forklift loading rates while enhancing worker safety and optimising logistics operations.Royal Canin’s Cambrai facility ships 1,800 food pallets daily, operating 24/7 to supply global markets.
 
Each pallet is scanned prior to loading onto trailers to maintain visibility and efficiency.
 
Camilo Caro Urrego, Focus Improvement Manager at Royal Canin, explained, “With our previous manual processes, we had pedestrian operators unloading pallets and circling around to perform the scans. We knew reducing the contact between operators and the pallets through automation would greatly improve work safety and speed up tracking.”
 
WIIO, a Zebra Premier Solution and Industrial Automation Partner, installed the FS40 scanners and ET60 tablets across the Cambrai plant in just three days, in close collaboration with Zebra, without interrupting production.
 
François-Xavier Bréhon, Factory Manager at Royal Canin, said, “Zebra and WIIO didn’t just offer us a product. They brought a plug-and-play system directly to our site, let us test it without stopping production and stayed involved throughout the process. Zebra’s technology integrated with WIIO has changed everything.”
 
The solution integrates seamlessly with Royal Canin’s existing warehouse management system (WMS), eliminating pedestrian traffic in loading zones and providing accurate, hands-off traceability for every pallet.
 
Benjamin Defaye, Machine Vision and Fixed Industrial Scanning Manager, France, at Zebra Technologies, commented, “We are proud to have helped Royal Canin achieve a positive return on investment within three months. Our collaboration with WIIO has enabled us to address Royal Canin’s diverse production requirements with an intelligent automation solution that improves safety and productivity for its frontline workers.”The success at Cambrai has prompted other Royal Canin plants to explore similar deployments, with the goal of rolling out this efficiency and safety enhancement across multiple sites.

Mining

Mining

Seequent, the Bentley Subsurface Company, will participate in the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 13-15 January 2026.

The company will use the event to showcase its geoscience technologies, highlighting its role in advancing data-driven mineral exploration in Saudi Arabia and engaging with industry leaders on the future of the regional mining sector.

Seequent’s participation aligns with its commitment to supporting the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 and will underline its involvement in major mining projects across the Kingdom. Visitors to the company’s stand will be able to explore its portfolio of solutions, including MX Deposit, Imago, Leapfrog, Evo platform and Oasis Montaj, and see how these technologies integrate to form a connected digital ecosystem for exploration and mining.

Dr. Janina Elliott, Segment Director for Mining at Seequent, said, “Seequent’s participation in this dynamic event underscores our longstanding vision to promote sustainable mining practices and digital innovation in the Middle East. It also highlights our expertise in the geoscience and data-driven exploration sector, as well as our position as a market leader trusted by nine of the world’s top ten mining companies.”

As part of the FMF 2026 programme, Dr. Elliott will take part in a panel discussion titled ‘Tackling the Data Challenge in Geological Surveying and Exploration’.

Ahead of the forum, Seequent will host a pre-FMF workshop in partnership with AGC Al Haytham Mining Company on 12 January 2026, prior to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two organisations. Titled ‘Unlocking Integrated Workflows – Seequent Solutions for Exploration and Resource Modelling’, the workshop will be led by Amjad Alashqar, Seequent’s Regional Manager of Business Development. The session will focus on how digital integration can reduce operational risks, improve decision-making and strengthen collaboration across exploration and mining teams.

FMF 2026 will provide a platform for Seequent to engage with C-suite executives, policymakers and international mining stakeholders. The company continues to expand its footprint in the Middle East, with offices in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and supports major industry players and regional giga-projects through its advanced geoscience technologies.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing

Emerson has been awarded the 2026 Saudi Aramco Local Manufacturers Quality Award, recognising its performance in manufacturing excellence and long-term alignment with Saudi Arabia’s national industrial strategy.

The award was presented during an official ceremony on 29 January 2026 at the Dhahran Plaza Conference Center. The event was hosted by Saudi Aramco and led by its Technical Services executive vice president, Wail A. Al Jaafari, who honoured companies demonstrating high standards in local manufacturing and product quality.

The accolade followed a formal assessment process conducted in coordination with Saudi Aramco’s technical teams. Emerson’s Control and Safety Systems (CSS) division spearheaded the company’s participation in the evaluation and represented the group at the ceremony in Dhahran.

Hussein Zein, vice president of Emerson in Saudi Arabia, said the recognition reflected a long-standing partnership built on trust and technical discipline. He added that Emerson’s emphasis on governance, leadership accountability and in-Kingdom manufacturing supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification programme.

The Saudi Aramco Local Manufacturers Quality Award is presented to organisations that achieve high performance across technical, operational and quality benchmarks, in line with the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) programme. IKTVA is designed to increase local content, strengthen domestic supply chains and foster sustainable industrial growth within the Kingdom.

Emerson has expanded its footprint in Saudi Arabia steadily over the past 16 years. Key milestones include the opening of facilities in Jubail, Dammam and Dhahran, as well as the launch of a major manufacturing hub at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) in 2024. The SPARK development has been positioned as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to localise energy sector manufacturing and services.

The company’s growing presence in the Kingdom aligns with national efforts to enhance industrial capabilities, reduce reliance on imports and generate skilled employment opportunities for Saudi nationals. By increasing local production of automation and control systems, Emerson is contributing to the resilience and competitiveness of the country’s energy and industrial sectors.

Industry observers note that such awards play a role in encouraging international suppliers to deepen their in-country commitments, particularly as Saudi Arabia accelerates reforms aimed at strengthening its non-oil economy.

For Emerson, the recognition underscores its strategy of combining global technical expertise with local manufacturing capacity, reinforcing its position as a long-term partner to Saudi Arabia’s energy and industrial transformation.

Logistics

Logistics

On the sidelines of the World Governments Summit (WGS) 2026, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Elon Musk's The Boring Company to begin implementing an advanced passenger transport tunnel project in the emirate, branded Dubai Loop.

The project will deploy next-generation tunnelling and transport technologies aimed at transforming Dubai’s mobility ecosystem, improving transport efficiency and easing traffic flow in high-density urban areas.

The agreement was signed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, and James Fitzgerald, Global Vice President of Business Development at The Boring Company, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.

Under the agreement, the first phase of the project will involve the construction of a 6.4km pilot route comprising four stations, connecting the Dubai International Financial Centre with Dubai Mall. This initial phase will serve as the foundation for the full project, which is planned to extend to 22.2km with 19 stations, linking Dubai World Trade Centre and the financial district with Business Bay.

The Dubai Loop project will feature tunnels with a diameter of 3.6 metres, dedicated to vehicle transport. Advanced tunnelling technologies will be used to enable faster delivery, lower construction costs and reduced disruption to existing roads and utilities compared with conventional transport systems.

The cost of the first phase is estimated at approximately AED565mn, with an expected delivery period of around one year following the completion of design works and preparatory requirements. The total cost of the full route is estimated at around AED2bn, with an anticipated implementation period of approximately three years.

Al Tayer said the project represents a qualitative addition to Dubai’s transport ecosystem by enhancing integration between different modes of mobility and providing flexible, efficient first- and last-mile solutions. He noted that studies indicate the pilot route is expected to serve around 13,000 passengers per day, while the full network could accommodate approximately 30,000 passengers daily.

He added that the agreement aligns with the leadership’s directives to strengthen strategic partnerships with global innovators in advanced technologies, supporting Dubai’s ambition to remain among the world’s leading cities for future mobility solutions while improving quality of life and supporting rapid urban and economic growth.

Steve Davis, President of The Boring Company, said the company was proud to partner with the RTA, describing it as one of the world’s leading authorities in adopting innovative transport solutions. He said the collaboration aims to deliver safe, efficient and advanced tunnelling systems that support Dubai’s vision for sustainable and future-ready mobility.

The agreement follows a memorandum signed at WGS 2025, under which the RTA and The Boring Company conducted detailed feasibility and technical studies. As part of the study phase, the RTA provided geotechnical data, information on utilities and structures, environmental risk assessments, and relevant transport standards. The company, in turn, submitted technical and safety studies and development proposals in collaboration with international consultancies, under the supervision of financial and legal advisers, to identify the optimal partnership model for the project.

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