DFF Expands Gig Economy Sandbox with Key Partners

The Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) has announced a strategic expansion of its Gig Economy Sandbox, welcoming Emirates Airline, Amazon, Careem, and GEMS Education as partners in the initiative. This collaboration aims to advance regulatory frameworks that support the growth of Dubai’s gig economy. The announcement was made at a dedicated event held in Emirates Towers, attended by key Sandbox Dubai partners alongside officials from regulatory bodies and government entities.

Sandbox Dubai serves as a pioneering platform designed to foster Dubai’s regulatory and legislative framework to meet future market needs. By uniting public and private sectors, it enables collaborative efforts in regulatory development, encouraging businesses to leverage emerging trends and technologies. The initiative, recently endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). It features two sandboxes – the Gig Economy Sandbox and the PropTech Sandbox.

Khalifa AlQama, Executive Director of Sandbox Dubai, highlighted the essential role of private-sector involvement in shaping future-ready regulations, testing ideas, and piloting projects. “The Sandbox Dubai team will work closely with public and private sector partners to explore new opportunities, creating an inclusive ecosystem where everyone can contribute to the future of Dubai’s key sectors,” said AlQama.

Reflecting on the initiative’s vision, Oliver Grohmann, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Emirates Group, commented, “We are proud to support the Gig Economy Sandbox, a crucial initiative aligned with D33’s goals to foster new sectors and drive a future-ready, knowledge-based economy. This initiative opens doors for innovation, strengthens capacity, and expands Dubai’s talent pool, and Emirates is committed to contributing its expertise.”

Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President for Amazon Middle East, Africa, and Turkey, added, “Our partnership with the Dubai Future Foundation on the Sandbox Dubai Initiative is an opportunity to advance flexible working models and boost Dubai’s digital economy. Amazon will bring its global expertise and technology to pilot programs that expand talent opportunities, increase productivity, and deliver innovative solutions.”

Similarly, Andro Valdes, VP Operations at Careem Technologies, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative’s role in regulatory adaptability. “The gig economy is vital for any resilient economy, offering flexible earning opportunities and enhancing efficiency. We’re thrilled to collaborate with DFF, sharing insights from Careem’s evolution from a ride-hailing service to the region’s leading Everything App.”

Dino Varkey, Group CEO of GEMS Education, affirmed GEMS’ commitment to Dubai’s forward-thinking initiatives, stating, “This partnership is a testament to Dubai’s innovation in public-private collaboration, advancing economic growth and flexibility. At GEMS, we are aligned with this vision, having driven innovation in education and attracted top educators globally to the UAE.”

The Gig Economy Sandbox aims to create sector-specific regulations to support industries that often rely on seasonal workers, including retail, hospitality, tourism, aviation, education, transport, and logistics. By promoting regulatory flexibility, the initiative will enhance Dubai’s labour market competitiveness and sustainable economic growth, benefiting both businesses and freelance workers amid growing global demand for flexible employment options.