Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has been named the world’s leading innovation hub, ranking first in the ‘Best Innovation Hub’ category at the Global Innovation Management Institute (GIMI) Innovation Awards 2025, marking a major international endorsement of its innovation ecosystem and mobility-focused strategy.
The award recognises organisations that deliver measurable impact across global innovation ecosystems and was announced during the GIMI Innovation Awards ceremony held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with participation from senior government officials, industry leaders, and innovation experts from around the world.
Shaikha Ahmed Almeheiri, Director of Innovation and Pioneering at RTA’s Strategy and Corporate Governance Sector, said the achievement reflects the strength of RTA’s Innovation Accelerator programme, which identifies promising mobility start-ups, evaluates their capabilities, and supports them in developing and implementing innovative solutions within RTA and alongside strategic partners.
She explained that the programme promotes effective public-private collaboration, strengthens RTA’s innovation maturity, and accelerates the adoption of advanced technologies across the transport network.
Almeheiri also highlighted the role of the ScaleUp Mobility programme in establishing a corporate model that directly links innovation initiatives to operational outcomes. The programme is supported by the Transportation Research and Innovation Pavilion (TRIP), which provides infrastructure to transform research and pilot projects into practical, deployable solutions.
The recognition underscores Dubai’s growing reputation as a global leader in government innovation and smart mobility. It is expected to further boost confidence among start-ups and investors, enhance Dubai’s international visibility, and reinforce the emirate’s position as a world-class hub for emerging mobility technologies.
RTA said the milestone supports its long-term commitment to building a smart, sustainable, and future-ready transportation ecosystem aligned with national priorities.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
