Dubai can be a tech Powerhouse - But only if it stops holding itself back

Y’know what the biggest thing holding Dubai’s tech scene back?

It’s not talent. It’s not funding. It’s not infrastructure.

✅ World-class talent.
✅ World-class infrastructure.
✅ World-class ambition.

So why does it feel like we’re just selling software here, instead of building it?

Let’s get real. Dubai’s startup and tech scene isn’t lacking in potential-it’s misallocating it.

1. Highly skilled professionals are stuck in the wrong roles.
2. Critical positions are filled with people who have no business being there.
3. The loudest voice in the room wins, not the one with the best ideas.

This isn’t a talent problem-this is a leadership problem.

Dubai has everything it needs to be a global tech hub, not just a MENA hub. But mismanagement, short-term thinking, and risk-averse leadership are keeping it stuck in a cycle of quick wins and long-term failure.

And worst of all? Employees are afraid to speak up.

• 🚨 Challenge the HiPPO (Highest Paid Person’s Opinion)? You’re a troublemaker.
• 🚨 Go along with the HiPPO? The product flops, and guess who gets blamed? (Hint: Not the HiPPO).

This isn’t how you build world-class tech. This is how you create disengagement, quiet quitting, and a revolving door of talent.

If Dubai wants to compete with Silicon Valley, it needs to rethink talent

1. Pay people well. Give them ownership. Let them challenge bad ideas without fear.
2. Hire based on skill, not just prestige. A good degree doesn’t mean they can do the job.
3. Invest in long-term scalability. A well-architected, maintainable product is not a cost-it’s an ROI machine.

And let’s talk about culture for a second

Because this is where Dubai’s tech scene has the biggest opportunity.

Culture isn’t just office perks and fancy job titles.

It’s the alignment of these three things:

1. What you say you value (your mission, vision, principles).
2. What you actually do (hiring, promotions, leadership).
3. What your people believe (how employees behave to survive in your company).

When these don’t align, talent leaves.
Every. Single. Time.

This isn’t a “maybe one day” situation.
Dubai can absolutely be a real tech hub-not just for MENA, but globally.

Everything is already in place.
The only thing holding it back? The tech scene itself.
So let’s fix that.