Microsoft Secures Historic Approval to Export Nvidia AI Chips to UAE

In a landmark development, Microsoft has become the first company this year to receive approval from the Trump administration to export Nvidia’s advanced AI chips to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The move marks a significant milestone in US-UAE tech cooperation and paves the way for a major expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure in the Gulf region.

The announcement comes as Microsoft revealed plans to invest $15.2 billion in the UAE through 2029 — one of the largest technology investments ever made in the Middle East. The new export license underscores Washington’s growing confidence in Microsoft’s ability to manage sensitive AI hardware within secure international frameworks.

Microsoft Secures Historic Approval to Export Nvidia AI Chips to UAE

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Microsoft Becomes First Company Granted AI Chip Export License

Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, confirmed that the company received official export approval in September, making it “the first company to obtain a license under the Trump administration” to ship Nvidia’s cutting-edge chips to the UAE.

The license allows Microsoft to export the equivalent of 60,400 Nvidia A100-class chips, including the powerful GB300 GPUs, to bolster AI computing capacity across the UAE’s data centers.

“You cannot obtain those export licenses unless you meet the criteria set by the US government,” Smith said in an interview with the Financial Times.
“We achieved this by fulfilling stringent requirements related to cybersecurity, physical security, and other safety protocols.”

The approval follows President Donald Trump’s recent comments reaffirming his restrictive export policy on high-end AI chips. The administration has limited sales of Nvidia’s Blackwell GPUs exclusively to US-based entities, emphasizing national security concerns.

However, the UAE’s deal, brokered through Microsoft’s close cooperation with US authorities, highlights a special strategic partnership that aligns with American geopolitical and technological interests in the region.

$15.2 Billion AI Investment in the UAE

Microsoft’s commitment to the UAE is part of a long-term strategy to position the country as a global hub for artificial intelligence innovation. Of the total $15.2 billion pledged through 2029, the company has already invested $7.3 billion between 2022 and 2025, with another $7.9 billion scheduled for the following four years.

A large share of this funding will go toward building and expanding AI data centers, enabling cloud services, and enhancing regional access to generative AI models.

Smith stated that the company’s AI infrastructure in the UAE will “scale rapidly” with the incoming Nvidia chips — promising delivery “in months, not years.” Microsoft has already deployed around 21,500 A100-class GPUs and will triple that capacity once the new shipments arrive.

The collaboration also builds upon Microsoft’s $1.5 billion investment in G42, the UAE’s sovereign AI company. The partnership aims to accelerate safe and secure AI adoption across the Middle East.

His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, personally reviewed the plans on Monday, describing them as “a powerful testament to global confidence in the UAE’s economic vision and commitment to responsible AI growth.”

UAE’s AI Leadership and Strategic Importance

The UAE has rapidly emerged as one of the most technologically forward nations globally. Recent studies show that 59.4% of its population actively uses AI-powered services, placing it ahead of countries like Singapore (58.6%) and the US (54.2%).

By combining US technology leadership with the UAE’s aggressive digital transformation goals, this partnership positions both nations at the forefront of the next generation of AI infrastructure.

The export approval not only strengthens Microsoft’s presence in the region but also establishes a framework for future high-tech collaborations between Washington and Abu Dhabi — balancing national security considerations with global innovation goals.

As AI continues to reshape industries and economies, this deal symbolizes more than just chip shipments; it represents a strategic alliance built on trust, technology, and shared ambition.