SPARK and Nokia to accelerate innovation in the region

The signing ceremony took place during SPARK’s annual Ramadan Majlis, attended by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SPARK. The MoU was signed by Mr Hussain Al Mahmoudi, Chief Executive Officer of SPARK, and Rima Manna, Vice President of Network Infrastructure Sales, Middle East, and Country Director for the UAE at Nokia.

The partnership targets high-impact initiatives, including advanced training programmes, specialised masterclasses, and capacity-building initiatives, alongside the development of the Tech Matchmaker concept and innovation support platforms. This will involve connecting solution providers with innovators, industry partners, and key stakeholders, thereby accelerating the transformation of ideas into scalable, real-world solutions with tangible impact.

Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate across four primary pillars: knowledge exchange and innovation collaboration; enhanced engagement with regional and global networks; co-development of masterclasses and capacity-building initiatives; and the development of innovation support platforms.

Supporting an innovation-driven economy

Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SPARK, said: “This partnership with Nokia marks a major step towards advancing SPARK’s mission to support innovation-led development by leveraging global expertise, fostering knowledge exchange, and building programmes that empower talent. The MoU reflects our shared ambition to create practical pathways that enable innovators and institutions to develop solutions with measurable impact locally, regionally and globally.”

Dr Asma Mahmoud Fikri, Director of Government and Corporate Partnerships at SPARK, said: “Through this partnership, we are creating a strong platform for co-designing capacity-building initiatives aligned with emerging trends and real ecosystem needs. Through masterclasses and the Tech Matchmaker concept, we aim to bring together innovators, industry, and stakeholders within a structured framework that accelerates collaboration, strengthens capabilities, and supports scalable innovation outcomes.”

Rima Manna, Vice President of Network Infrastructure Sales, Middle East, and Country Director for the UAE at Nokia, said: “Nokia is committed to supporting innovation ecosystems that advance knowledge, build capabilities, and enable meaningful cross-sector collaboration. Our partnership with SPARK presents an important opportunity to co-develop programmes that connect innovators with industry and help transform promising ideas into scalable solutions that deliver sustainable long-term value.”

The partnership aligns with SPARK’s vision to strengthen integration among government entities, industry, and academic and research institutions, further positioning Sharjah and the UAE as a leading hub for advanced technology and innovation.