Although the United Arab Emirates does not impose a uniform limit on foreign participation in the telecommunications sector, such participation remains subject to specific restrictions. The government limits foreign ownership in publicly listed companies within the sector and applies a screening regime that determines, on a case-by-case basis, the permissible proportion of foreign participation in telecommunications companies. Currently, only two public companies (Etisalat and "du") are licensed to provide public telecommunications services in the United Arab Emirates, and foreign ownership in these companies is effectively absent.
Art. 7 of the Federal Law No. 1 of 24 March 1991 Concerning the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation authorises foreign ownership of up to 49% in the Emirates Telecommunications Corporation (Etisalat), the former incumbent operator. Similarly, since 23 February 2021, non-UAE nationals are permitted to hold up to 49% of the share capital in Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company ("du").
Moreover, as telecommunications activities are classified as “activities with a strategic impact,” additional restrictions on foreign ownership can be imposed. Pursuant to Art. 3 of the Council of Ministers Resolution No. 55 of 2021, foreign investors seeking to engage in any of the strategic activities listed in Art. 2 must submit a licence application to the competent authority. In the telecommunications sector, the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) is responsible for approving foreign direct investment licence applications and determining the permissible proportion of foreign participation in a company’s capital. The TDRA has reportedly indicated that it is not considering the issuance of new licences at this time.

In accordance with Art. 3 of the Council of Ministers Resolution No. (55) of 2021, foreign investors seeking to participate in any of the strategic activities listed in Art. 2, including the telecommunications sector, are required to submit a licence application to the competent authority. For the telecommunications sector, the Public Authority for the Regulation of the Telecommunications Sector and Digital Government must approve the FDI licence applications and determine: (i) the proportion of national and/or foreign participation in the company’s capital; and (ii) where applicable, the proportion of national and/or foreign representation on the board of directors.

It is reported that foreign applicants are required to undertake patent registration in the United Arab Emirates through a registered Emirati patent attorney.

The United Arab Emirates is a party to the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

The United Arab Emirates has a copyright regime under the Federal Law No. 38 of 2021 on Copyrights and Neighboring Rights. However, the exceptions do not follow the fair use or fair dealing model, therefore limiting the lawful use of copyrighted work by others. Arts. 22–24 list the exceptions, which include personal and educational uses. An individual may make a single copy for personal, non-commercial use, subject to statutory exclusions (works of fine and applied art in public places, architectural works permanently located in public places, and software/databases except as otherwise permitted). Short excerpts may be reproduced for criticism, discussion or information with proper attribution. Authorised organisations may prepare accessible-format copies for persons with disabilities on a non-profit basis. Current events uses are also permitted, such as reproducing or broadcasting extracts of published articles, speeches or lectures of public interest, provided the source and author are acknowledged.

Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2024 on the Executive Regulation of Federal Law No. 11 of 2023 on Procurement in the Federal Government, which repeals Resolution No. (4) of 2019, maintains the requirement that suppliers must be registered and accepted in order to participate in federal procurement. However, unlike the previous framework, the obligation for suppliers to have at least one partner or service agent who is a UAE citizen has been removed, as has the exemption from registration fees previously granted to companies owned by national citizens, subsidised by SME funds, and established under federal or local statutes.
Art. 9 of Resolution No. 122 sets out the revised framework for supplier registration and acceptance.

The United Arab Emirates is a signatory of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Information Technology Agreement (ITA) of 1996, but is not a signatory of its 2015 expansion (ITA II).

In September 2024, the United Arab Emirates, implementing a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) decision through Directive No. (2) of 2024, imposed definitive anti-dumping duties for a period of five years on imports of electrical connectors, switches, sockets, and plugs for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts (HS codes: 853669, 853650, 85444291, 85444221) originating in or exported from the People’s Republic of China. These products are widely used in electrical installations and consumer electronics. The duties imposed range from 11.3% to 42%, depending on the exporting company.

According to Arts. 17–18 of Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2024 (Implementing Regulations of Federal Law No. 11 of 2023 and repealing Cabinet Resolution No. 4 of 2019), federal entities may use three procurement methods: (a) public tender, (b) limited tender, and (c) direct order or sole source. A public tender is mandatory when the estimated contract value exceeds the threshold specified in the Manual of Federal Government Procurement Procedures, and only registered and accepted suppliers are eligible to participate.
Art. 1 of the Federal Law No. 11 of 2023 defines a supplier as any natural or legal person that provides procurements in accordance with the provisions of this law and its executive regulations.
As specified in the Federal Government Procurement Procedures Manual (2025) for contracts valued at less than AED 250,000 (approx. USD 70,000), procuring entities may use direct procurement methods, such as purchase orders or simplified procedures, subject to compliance with the Manual and financial regulations. For contracts valued between AED 250,000 (approx. USD 70,000) and AED 5,000,000 (approx. USD 1.4 million), restricted or limited tendering procedures may be applied. For contracts exceeding AED 5,000,000 (approx. USD 1.4 million), procuring entities are required to use the public (open) tendering procedure.

According to Art. 22 of Federal Law No. 11 of 2023 concerning Procurement in the Federal Government, tender evaluation criteria may include a margin of preference for suppliers that generate public interest or added national value, for locally produced goods, or to stimulate the participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), in line with the implementing regulations.
Art. 13 of Cabinet Resolution No. 122 of 2024 on the Executive Regulation further strengthens SME participation by requiring federal agencies to allocate 10% of annual procurement expenditure to SMEs. In addition, SMEs receive a 10% increase in their final evaluation score during the award process. SMEs may also challenge tender requirements that unduly restrict their ability to compete, obliging the procurement unit to review such claims and propose adjustments where appropriate. Federal agencies are further authorised to introduce economic incentives in favour of SMEs, such as easing payment terms, providing advance payments, or other measures designed to enhance their competitiveness.

Uganda has not signed the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Use of Electronic Communications in International Contracts.

Uganda has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Commerce.

Uganda has adopted national legislation based on or influenced by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Model Law on Electronic Signatures.

Uganda does not implement any de minimis threshold, which is the minimum value of goods below which customs do not charge duties. However, local authorities have indicated that, as early as 2009, goods valued at USD 50 or below have not been subject to import taxes in practice. This informal practice is not established in any publicly available legal or regulatory instrument and appears to be implemented through internal memos issued to staff for operational purposes.