More than 50 awards presented as government entities, technology leaders and innovators are recognised for advancing AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation and smart government.
Dubai — Senior government officials, technology executives, CIOs, CISOs and digital transformation leaders gathered at The Ritz-Carlton JBR, Dubai, for the GovTech Innovation Forum & Awards 2026, an evening dedicated to celebrating the organisations and individuals driving the UAE’s next chapter of digital government and technology innovation.
Organised by CPI Media Group, the event showcased how artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud, data infrastructure, blockchain and emerging technologies are transforming public services, strengthening national resilience and accelerating the UAE’s vision of becoming one of the world’s leading digital nations.
The evening commenced with a welcome address by Sandhya D’Mello, Technology Editor, CPI Media Group, who highlighted the importance of collaboration between government institutions, technology providers and industry leaders in delivering secure, citizen-centric and AI-enabled public services.
The programme featured keynote presentations by Karthikeyan Gunasekar, Technologist for MEA, AI Networking Evangelist WW, Consulting Systems Expert, HPE, who explored how intelligent networking is becoming the foundation for AI-native enterprises, and Wassim Abi Saab, Regional Alliances & Channel Manager, Everpure, formerly Pure Storage, who shared insights into building resilient, AI-ready data platforms capable of supporting the next generation of enterprise innovation.
A key highlight of the forum was an engaging panel discussion moderated by Sandhya D’Mello, bringing together distinguished government and industry experts including Eric Badenhorst, Sales Engineering Director – META, Rubrik; Fadi Kanafani, General Manager – Technology, Yas Holding Technology; Haitham Saif, Field Chief Technology Officer – Middle East and Africa, HPE Networking; Marwah Eissa, Information Technology Specialist, Digital Transformation Department, Ministry of Finance, UAE; Mohit Pandey, Head of Sales – Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Seagate Technology; Muhannad Khattab, Managing Director – UAE, NTT DATA; and Murad Ali, Head of GCC at Logitech for Business.
The panel explored how organisations can strengthen cyber resilience beyond traditional backup and recovery, transform AI investments into measurable business outcomes, modernise enterprise networks for AI workloads, build resilient data infrastructures, accelerate digital transformation through trusted governance and create intelligent workplaces that enable secure, productive and AI-powered collaboration.
The programme continued with an insightful fireside chat, featuring Mario M. Veljovic, General Manager at VAD Technologies and Maya Zakhour, Partner Ecosystem Director, BeyondTrust, also moderated by Sandhya D’Mello. The conversation explored how artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and digital innovation are reshaping industries, creating new opportunities for growth and redefining leadership in an increasingly AI-driven world. The session also highlighted the importance of responsible AI adoption, cross-sector collaboration and human-centric innovation in building resilient, future-ready organisations.
The evening culminated in the GovTech Innovation Awards, where more than 50 awards were presented to outstanding government entities, public sector departments, technology companies and individual leaders for their achievements across AI implementation, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, blockchain, data management, smart mobility, public-private partnerships, citizen empowerment, operational excellence, government technology leadership and digital transformation.
Speaking at the event, Kausar Syed, Group Publishing Director, CPI Media Group, said: “The GovTech Innovation Forum & Awards has become a platform for recognising the leaders and organisations transforming ambitious digital strategies into measurable national impact.”
“This year’s winners demonstrate that meaningful innovation is driven not only by technology, but by visionary leadership, trusted partnerships and a commitment to delivering better outcomes for citizens. Their achievements continue to reinforce the UAE’s position as a global benchmark for digital government and technology excellence.”
The event was supported by leading technology partners including Gold Sponsors – HPE, Rubrik, NTT DATA, Logitech for Business and Seagate Technology – and to our Silver Sponsors, BeyondTrust, Everpure and VAD Technologies. The sponsors showcased innovations that are helping governments and enterprises strengthen cyber resilience, modernise digital infrastructure, accelerate AI adoption and build secure, intelligent and future-ready organisations.
One of the evening’s standout recognitions, the Digital Transformation Project of the Year – UAE, was presented to Emirates NBD for successfully driving a large-scale digital transformation initiative that has strengthened operational excellence, enhanced customer experiences, and delivered measurable business outcomes through technology-led innovation. The award also recognised the collaborative efforts behind the achievement, with Office Connect acknowledged as Emirates NBD’s strategic technology and services partner for its contribution in implementing digital workflow and automation solutions that streamlined processes, reduced manual intervention, and enabled more efficient service delivery across key business functions. The recognition underscored the growing importance of ecosystem partnerships in accelerating enterprise-wide digital transformation and delivering long-term business value.
Among the evening’s standout winners were Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), recognised as Dubai IT Department of the Year for its pioneering adoption of AI, automation and immersive digital technologies; Abu Dhabi Police GHQ, honoured through Lt. Col. Dr. Hamad Al Nuaimi, recipient of the Critical Infrastructure Technology Visionary of the Year award for advancing mission-critical communications and public safety technologies; Aldar Properties PJSC, whose Mohamed Al Shamsi received the Government Infrastructure & Operations Leader of the Year award for driving secure and resilient technology operations; and Dr. Majeda of Edge, Integrated Transport Company – Abu Dhabi Mobility and Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.
The GovTech Innovation Forum & Awards 2026 concluded with a celebration of the region’s most inspiring government technology leaders and organisations, recognising their outstanding contributions to advancing digital transformation, fostering innovation and shaping the future of smart government across the UAE and the wider region.
List of Winners of GovTech Innovation Forum & Awards 2026:
EdTech Ecosystem Enabler of the Year: Ankabut
AI-Powered Cybersecurity Solution of the Year: Rubrik
AI Data Management Solutions Distributor of the Year: VAD Technologies
Hybrid Workplace Collaboration Vendor of the Year: Logitech
National Cybersecurity Leader of the Year: Hadi Anwar, CEO, CPX.
Enterprise Data Platform of the Year: Everpure
Best AI Infrastructure Enabler of the Year: Seagate Technology
Government Security Solutions Provider of the Year: ZKTeco
Agentic AI Powered Cyber Excellence Award: Gruve
UAE Empowerment Initiative of the Year: CPX Holding
Industrial AI Innovation Excellence Award: IFS
Data Center Solutions Provider of the Year: ASBIS Middle East
Public and Private Partnership of the Year: Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP)
Future-Ready Technology Leader of the Year: Ali Al Kaf Alhashmi, Senior Vice President & Head of Information Security and Risk, Mubadala.
Critical Infrastructure Technology Visionary of the Year: Lt. Col. Dr. Hamad Al Nuaimi, Abu Dhabi Police GHQ
Cyber Risk & Resilience Leader of the Year: Anton MuthuKumar Benjamin FernandoSection Head – Information Security Governance, Risk & Compliance, Department of Health – Abu Dhabi
Sovereign AI Transformation Leader of the Year: Hassan Alnoon, CEO, Ghisha AI, National Experts Program
Digital Transformation Project of the Year – UAE: Emirates NBD
Excellence in Government Technology Enablement: Marwah Eissa, Information Technology Specialist, Digital Transformation Department, Ministry of Finance, UAE
Digital Trust & Cyber Resilience Leader of the Year: Shafiullah Ismail,Senior Vice President & Head of Information Security and Risk, Mubadala Capital
Woman in Government Technology Leadership Excellence: Dr. Majeda Al Marzooqi, Group Director IT Service Delivery & Operations, EDGE Group PJSC
Innovative Initiative of the Year: Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Government of Dubai
Government Infrastructure & Operations Leader of the Year: Mohamed Al Shamsi,Group IT Operations & Infrastructure Lead Aldar Properties PJSC
Innovative Management Systems and Projects of the Year: Integrated Transport Centre – Abu Dhabi Mobility
Government IT Leader of the Year: Director – Biju Hameed, Business Technology Infrastructure Operations, Dubai Airports
Ajman IT Department of the Year: Municipality & Planning Department, Government of Ajman
Government Pioneer of the Year: Emirates Health Services (EHS)
Technology Operations Visionary of the Year: Sam Roberts, Service Delivery Manager, Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC)
Government Digital Foundations Leader of the Year: Ahmed AlSharawi, Digital Infrastructure Senior Specialist, Federal Tax Authority
Dubai IT Department of the Year: Dubai Multi Commodities Centre Authority (DMCC)
Citizen Empowerment Initiative of the Year: Fujairah Martial Arts Club
Cultural Innovation Leader of the Year: Loun Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Hosani, Ministry of Culture, Government of the United Arab Emirates
Knowledge and Innovation Leader of the Year: Jinson Pappachan, Head of Information Security & Enterprise ICT Emirates Policy Center
National Digital Infrastructure Project of the Year: Emirates Integrated Registries Company (EIRC)
Cyber Risk Management Leader of the Year: Rathod Govind Mahesh Naik, Manager Governance & Information Security, EtihadWE
Innovative and Sustainable Future Accelerator of the Year: Ammar Al Braiki, Head of Software Develpoment, Dubai Taxi Company PJSC
Government Visionary Leader of the Year: Dr. Mohammad Alawadhi, Director of IT, Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP)
Sharjah IT Department of the Year: Sharjah City Municipality
Government Security Leader of the Year: Nasser Alneyadi, Head of Information Security Department, Ministry of Interior – UAE
Outstanding Excellence in IT and Cybersecurity: Saif Al Shehhi, Section Head – IT Security, Resilience & Compliance, EDGE Group PJSC
Operational Excellence in Government Technology: Omar Aburub, Information Technology Operations Team Lead, Engineering Office, Government of Dubai
Future IT Leader of the Year: Mohammed M, Executive Director Information Technology, National Bonds Corporation National Bonds Corporation
Smart Government Innovation Leader of the Year: Wahib M. Yusuf, Cyber Security Manager
Emarat – Emirates Petroleum Company
AI Implementation of the Year: Dubai World Trade Centre
Aviation Technology Visionary of the Year: Mohammad Al Suwaidi, Head of Information Technology Department, Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans)
Digital Transformation Project of the Year – Oman: Towell Auto Group, Oman
Future Intelligence Leader of the Year: Muhammad Affan, Director of IT, Sharjah Maritime Academy (SMA)
Smart City Initiative of the Year: Dubai Taxi Company PJSC
CISO of the Year: Mohammed Rizwan Razeek, Head of IT and cybersecurity, Abdullah Aldah Group
Technology Business Leader of the Year: Dr. Fayid Kadambodan, Assistant Director – Enterprise Solutions – Digital, Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ)
Best Use of Technology: Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT)
Digital Transformation Leader of the Year: Waleed Aldhuhoori, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA), Government of Dubai
Best Blockchain Implementation of the Year: The General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi
Strategic AI Leader of the Year in Government: Yanal Qasim Alkhasoneh, The General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi
Digital Transformation Enabler for Public Sector: Yas Holding Technology
Source: Tahawul Tech