Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has signed a strategic partnership with TIM Group (Telecom Italia), the leading telecommunications and technology company in Italy and Brazil, to support the company’s consideration of opening a regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi. The move advances TIM Group’s international expansion while bolstering Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for advanced digital connectivity and next-generation technologies.
The partnership was established during a ceremony at the Italy-UAE Business Forum in Rome, witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Her Excellency Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy, in which His Excellency Rashed Abdulkarim Al Blooshi, Undersecretary of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), on behalf of ADIO, and Pietro Labriola, CEO of TIM Group, signed the agreement. The ceremony was held on the sidelines of the official state visit to Italy by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.
Under the partnership, TIM’s regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi would introduce its expertise in secure communications, and cloud and Internet of Things (IoT) applications to enhance industrial productivity and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s digital infrastructure. As part of this effort, the company is assessing opportunities to develop advanced cyber and quantum communication solutions for secure and resilient public and private networks. TIM Group is also exploring the possibility of implementing broadband and telecommunications technologies in the emirate to support the rollout of 5G and 6G projects in collaboration with local and international partners.
A key focus of TIM Group’s potential expansion into Abu Dhabi is the creation of a Centre of Excellence dedicated to IoT and AI. Leveraging TIM’s expertise, the centre would drive innovation in areas such as smart cities, smart homes, and smart energy systems. The company is also exploring establishing edge computing as a service in the emirate, which would enable faster and more efficient data processing to enhance IoT and entertainment applications. The company’s Abu Dhabi headquarters would serve as a strategic base to oversee operations across the Middle East, North Africa and India.
Through this initiative, TIM Group aims to play a central role in strengthening the local digital ecosystem by collaborating with universities, investors, and technology firms to drive research, generate intellectual property, and support talent development in critical sectors. The collaboration comes as part of ADIO’s broader efforts to forge meaningful partnerships with key global enterprises, furthering the emirate’s advanced technology objectives while accelerating economic growth.
His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said: “Our collaboration with TIM is poised to introduce transformative technologies to critical industries, furthering the emirate’s broader diversification objectives and accelerating economic growth. By strengthening our technological infrastructure and attracting high-impact investors, we ensure that innovation not only drives Abu Dhabi’s competitiveness but also constitutes the foundation of its economic development.”
Pietro Labriola, CEO at TIM, said: “The collaboration with ADIO will potentially enable us to introduce our cutting-edge digital and telecom solutions, creating opportunities for businesses and governments alike. Abu Dhabi is home to the fastest internet connectivity globally and its strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and commitment to innovation, make it the ideal base for our proposed expansion in the region and to cooperate with our partners on development projects in geographic areas of mutual interest.”
By partnering with TIM Group, ADIO continues to facilitate the integration of major international technology firms into Abu Dhabi, enhancing the emirate’s attractiveness as a leading global gateway for investment and high-growth business expansion.
