In a decisive pivot toward digital self-reliance, the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates has inked a deal with Core42, a unit of Abu Dhabi’s AI heavyweight G42, to construct what it calls a Sovereign Financial Cloud Services Infrastructure.
This is not just another IT upgrade. It is an attempt to redraw the digital map of the nation’s financial system.
The new platform will function as a secure, ring-fenced cloud environment designed exclusively for licensed financial institutions. The emphasis is clear: data stays sovereign, systems stay resilient, and operations remain insulated from external shocks. In an era where cyber threats and cross-border data dependencies dominate risk discussions, the move signals a preference for controlled digital borders.
The cloud framework forms a central pillar of the bank’s broader Financial Infrastructure Transformation programme. At its core lies an ambition that stretches beyond compliance and continuity — positioning the UAE as a magnet for secure, tech-forward financial services.
Built atop advanced AI and analytics capabilities, the infrastructure is designed to process data in real time, automate routine decision layers, and offer sharper intelligence to banks and financial entities operating within the country. Instead of fragmented cloud adoption, the system proposes a unified structure for managing multi-cloud services, streamlining performance while reducing operational blind spots.
Officials described the initiative as a strategic leap — one that reinforces financial resilience while cementing technological leadership. The message from Abu Dhabi is unmistakable: the next frontier of financial stability is not only regulatory. It is digital, sovereign, and engineered at scale.
