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Sheikh Mohammed Launches Dh12.8 Billion Dubai Silicon Oasis Expansion

DSO gets a $3.5B overhaul with District IO — 25 buildings, 6,500 companies, and 70,000 new jobs targeting AI, robotics, and quantum computing.

D
DXB Start·January 22, 2026·1 min read·2 months ago

Sheikh Mohammed launched a Dh12.8 billion ($3.5B) expansion of Dubai Silicon Oasis anchored by District IO and Block 14. District IO will deliver 25 LEED-compliant buildings designed to host 6,500+ global companies in AI, quantum computing, robotics, and Web3.

Block 14 adds Dh1.8 billion in residential and lifestyle capacity. Together, the projects aim to create 70,000+ jobs, attract Dh30 billion in FDI, and contribute Dh103 billion to Dubai's GDP by 2036.

The expansion signals Dubai's commitment to building physical infrastructure purpose-built for next-generation technology companies, extending the startup ecosystem beyond traditional free zones.

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