His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum inaugurated the headquarters and first manufacturing facility of KERNO Enterprises at Dubai Silicon Oasis on June 26, 2026, marking a milestone for local tech production and the emirate’s push toward advanced manufacturing and digital sovereignty.
The ceremony, held at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)—a special economic zone focused on knowledge and innovation—drew senior government officials including His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade; His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Executive Chairman of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ); and Christopher Caswell, Co-Founder and CEO of KERNO Enterprises. The event underscores Dubai’s strategy to attract high-value technology investments and reduce reliance on imported IT infrastructure.
KERNO Enterprises becomes the first manufacturer of enterprise IT hardware in the UAE. The facility will design, develop, and produce secure technology solutions locally, aligning with national goals to boost technological sovereignty, localize advanced industries, and build resilient digital infrastructure for artificial intelligence and the broader digital economy.
During a facility tour, Sheikh Ahmed reviewed production lines encompassing assembly operations, testing procedures, and quality assurance. He also examined KERNO’s product portfolio, which includes AI servers, high-performance computing systems, enterprise servers, and data storage technologies.
A Strategic Boost for Advanced Manufacturing
“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,” said Sheikh Ahmed. He emphasized that the new facility represents a major addition to the UAE’s manufacturing landscape and reflects the strategic importance of investing in knowledge and innovation-driven sectors. He noted that advanced manufacturing is a cornerstone of building the future economy, enhancing digital readiness, and advancing economic diversification under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Diversifying the Economy Through Technology
Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi called the inauguration “an important step in the UAE’s journey towards building a more diversified and competitive economy driven by knowledge, innovation, and advanced technology.” He added that the facility demonstrates the country’s ability to attract high-value investments in future-focused sectors and transform them into industrial projects that add measurable value to the national economy. “Enabling companies to design, develop, and manufacture high-performance solutions within the country supports the competitiveness of national exports and creates broader opportunities for international partnerships,” he said.
Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni highlighted DSO’s growing role as a dedicated platform for technology and innovation enterprises. “The presence of KERNO Enterprises at Dubai Silicon Oasis represents an important addition to Dubai’s technology business community, particularly given its focus on enterprise IT equipment and secure digital infrastructure,” he said, expressing confidence that the facility will strengthen local manufacturing capabilities and support Dubai’s readiness for the digital economy and AI.
High-Tech Production at Scale
The KERNO facility has an annual production capacity exceeding 60,000 technology products, including high-performance AI servers, enterprise and edge computing servers, x86 multi-purpose platforms, and enterprise-grade storage systems designed for mission-critical applications. All are developed and manufactured in the UAE.
Christopher Caswell called the inauguration a key milestone for the company. “The selection of Dubai Silicon Oasis reflects its position as a leading hub for knowledge, innovation and future technologies,” he said. “This move aligns with KERNO Enterprises’ vision to develop and manufacture world-class technologies within the UAE, leveraging DSO’s advanced infrastructure and integrated ecosystem.”
Broader Implications for Dubai’s Tech Ecosystem
Dubai Silicon Oasis operates under DIEZ alongside Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai CommerCity, offering an integrated environment for tech companies, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The opening of KERNO’s facility sends a clear signal that Dubai is serious about becoming a regional manufacturing hub for advanced digital hardware—an area traditionally dominated by East Asian and Western producers.
As demand for sovereign computing and AI solutions grows, this facility positions the UAE to meet that need domestically, reducing supply chain vulnerabilities and fostering local talent. For businesses and investors, the development offers a tangible example of how Dubai is translating its economic diversification ambitions into operational reality. The next step will be scaling such initiatives to attract more global tech manufacturers to set up shop within the emirate’s free zones—potentially reshaping the region’s industrial map.