Dubai opens UAE’s first enterprise IT hardware manufacturing facility

Dubai has inaugurated the UAE’s first enterprise IT hardware manufacturing facility, a milestone that underscores the country’s growing focus on advanced manufacturing, technological sovereignty, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), witnessed the launch of KERNO Enterprises’ headquarters and first manufacturing facility at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the special economic zone dedicated to knowledge- and innovation-driven businesses and a member of DIEZ.

The inauguration was attended by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ; Christopher Caswell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of KERNO Enterprises; alongside senior government officials, private sector representatives, and company executives.

The launch positions KERNO Enterprises as the first company in the UAE to manufacture enterprise-grade IT hardware locally. The facility is expected to strengthen Dubai’s position as a regional hub for advanced technology and knowledge-based manufacturing, while supporting national efforts to localize critical industries and develop resilient digital infrastructure capable of meeting the demands of AI and the wider digital economy.

During a tour of the facility, Sheikh Ahmed reviewed advanced production lines, assembly operations, testing procedures, and quality assurance systems. He was also briefed on the company’s portfolio, which includes AI servers, high-performance computing systems, enterprise servers, and enterprise-grade storage technologies.

“Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for technology companies and advanced industries, supported by an integrated business environment, world-class infrastructure, and a competitive economic ecosystem that attracts high-value investments and projects,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

He described the establishment of KERNO Enterprises’ headquarters and manufacturing facility as a significant addition to Dubai and the UAE’s advanced manufacturing landscape, highlighting the strategic importance of investing in innovation- and technology-driven sectors.

Sheikh Ahmed added that advanced manufacturing remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s efforts to build a future-ready economy, enhance digital readiness, and accelerate economic diversification in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which seeks to position Dubai among the world’s top economic centers.

The move comes as countries around the world increasingly seek to secure technology supply chains and build domestic capabilities in strategic sectors such as AI, cloud computing, and high-performance computing.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi said the facility marks an important step in the UAE’s journey toward a more diversified and competitive economy driven by knowledge, innovation, and advanced technologies.

“The inauguration of KERNO Enterprises’ facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis reflects the country’s ability to attract high-value investments in future-focused sectors and transform them into industrial and technological projects that add measurable value to the national economy,” he said.

He added that enabling companies to design, develop, and manufacture advanced technology solutions locally strengthens the competitiveness of UAE exports while creating new opportunities for international collaboration and investment.

For DIEZ, the investment further reinforces Dubai Silicon Oasis’ role as a platform for innovation-led enterprises.

“The inauguration of KERNO Enterprises’ facility reflects the growing role of Dubai Silicon Oasis as a dedicated platform for technology, knowledge, and innovation-driven enterprises,” said Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of DIEZ.

He noted that the authority’s ecosystem continues to attract high-quality investments in future-focused industries, providing companies with an integrated environment to scale operations and develop advanced technologies for regional and global markets.

Al Zarooni added that KERNO Enterprises’ presence at DSO is particularly significant given its focus on enterprise IT equipment manufacturing and secure digital infrastructure, both of which are critical to supporting Dubai’s ambitions in AI and the digital economy.

The facility has an annual production capacity of more than 60,000 technology products. Its output includes high-performance AI servers, enterprise and edge computing servers, UAE-developed x86 multipurpose platforms, and enterprise-grade storage systems designed for mission-critical applications.

According to Christopher Caswell, Co-Founder and CEO of KERNO Enterprises, the launch represents a major milestone in the company’s growth journey and aligns with the UAE’s broader strategy to strengthen industrial capabilities and expand the digital economy.

He said the facility is positioned to meet growing demand for sovereign high-performance computing and AI solutions developed and manufactured within the UAE.

Caswell added that the decision to establish operations in Dubai Silicon Oasis was driven by its reputation as a hub for innovation and future technologies, as well as the ecosystem it offers for advanced technology companies.

“The move aligns with KERNO Enterprises’ vision to develop and manufacture world-class technologies within the UAE, leveraging DSO’s advanced infrastructure and integrated ecosystem, which bring together technical talent, strategic partners, and the business enablers required for expansion and innovation,” he said.

Dubai Silicon Oasis is one of three economic zones operating under DIEZ, alongside Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) and Dubai CommerCity (DCC). The zone provides an integrated ecosystem for technology companies, entrepreneurs, and innovators, supported by advanced infrastructure and a business environment designed to accelerate knowledge- and innovation-led growth.

As demand for AI computing power and secure digital infrastructure continues to rise globally, the opening of KERNO Enterprises’ facility highlights the UAE’s ambition to move beyond technology consumption and establish itself as a producer of high-value digital and computing technologies.