Industry 4.0, characterised by the integration of digital technologies and automation into manufacturing and industrial processes, presents significant opportunities and challenges for Ajman and the UAE as a whole. The national government has been proactive in adopting Industry 4.0 initiatives, including the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MIAT). These policies aim to enhance overall productivity, efficiency and innovation within the industrial sector.
However, implementing Industry 4.0 in the UAE and Ajman will require additional investment in education, IT infrastructure and regulation. First, investment in education and training will continue to support the development of a highly skilled workforce. The integration of advanced technologies – such as the internet of things, artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics – demands infrastructure investment and cybersecurity measures. Additionally, the regulatory landscape should evolve to facilitate innovation while ensuring data privacy and security. Moreover, fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial to driving research and development and promoting sustainable industrial growth.
Ajman Vision 2030
Ajman Vision 2030 is a key driver in bolstering the emirate’s industrial competitiveness. One of its eight guiding principles – future readiness – prioritises a forward-looking approach to development. This involves investing in physical and social infrastructure to bolster Ajman’s development, in particular by fostering innovation, data-driven decision-making and digital transformation. Another key guiding principle of Ajman Vision 2030 is collaboration, as the implementation of Industry 4.0 depends on interdisciplinary coordination between industry, academia and the government. “Significant investment in digital transformation has facilitated the automation of key services by introducing e-transaction portals and establishing a paperless operational framework,” Ismail Al Naqi, director-general of Free Zones Authority of Ajman (FZAA), told OBG. “Additionally, technologies employed within the port and free zone provide real-time supply chain visibility, allowing companies to optimise their operations and respond to market demands.”
Government Initiatives
Ajman has been actively pursuing Industry 4.0-focused initiatives to enhance its industrial sector’s competitiveness and sustainability. Ajman Department of Economic Development (AJDED) has launched two key initiatives in order to bolster the emirate’s industrial capability through human capital development. The Let’s Learn Foresight initiative focuses on improving employees’ ability to keep pace with sector developments. It involves training in skills that are essential for anticipating and adapting to the technological changes associated with Industry 4.0.
The Future of My Work initiative, meanwhile, aims to modernise workers’ skills to align with the demands of Industry 4.0. The programme emphasises the importance of reskilling and upskilling to ensure that employees can effectively utilise advanced technologies and contribute to digital transformation while also reaping the associated benefits, such as increased productivity. This follows in the footsteps of the Ajman Free Zone AI and Robotics Hub, which was launched in October 2021. This scheme looks to facilitate smart technology adoption for small- and medium-sized enterprises by providing tools for innovative product development, upskilling training and access to funding.
Industry Ecosystem
As Industry 4.0 develops over the long term globally, its continued evolution in the UAE will likely be dependent on the existing ecosystem of government and non-government actors in the emirate, ranging from MIAT at the federal level to the Ajman Chamber, AJDED and FZAA at the emirate level. In addition to this, strategic financing is central to the growth trajectory of Industry 4.0, with recent figures showing that Emirates Development Bank boosted its financing into Ajman 20 times over in 2024 alone, much of which was destined for the industrial sector.
