In a landmark move showcasing the UAE’s growing influence as an exporter of sovereign technology, Abu Dhabi-based IOPn has entered into a strategic partnership with the Government of the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. The collaboration will launch the world’s first Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) program powered by blockchain, positioning the UAE at the forefront of digital diplomacy and global innovation in governance.
A Landmark Partnership in Digital Governance
The pioneering initiative, executed through the government’s exclusive partner STP Service Advisory (STPSA), represents a major milestone in how nations manage citizenship, identity, and foreign investment. By leveraging a digital-first framework developed and managed in Abu Dhabi, São Tomé and Príncipe aims to establish a new global standard for transparency, security, and efficiency in its CBI program. The agreement, which will run for an initial five-year period, establishes a joint governance framework between all three parties to oversee the program’s implementation and compliance.
Disney Ramos, Director of the Citizenship-by-Investment Unit of São Tomé and Príncipe, highlighted the UAE’s critical role in the project. “Our collaboration with STPSA and IOPn marks a turning point not only for our nation but for how small countries can leverage innovation from global technology leaders like the UAE,” he stated. “This partnership ensures transparency, efficiency, and international credibility.”
Exporting UAE’s Sovereign Tech Stack
At the core of this transformation is IOPn’s proprietary technology ecosystem. The program will be built on OPN Chain, the company’s EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain, and its advanced ATLAS platform, which is powered by NVIDIA AI and computing technologies. This UAE-built tech stack will deliver a fully secure and transparent system for citizenship applications and approvals, reinforcing the nation’s strategic vision to become a global hub for trusted digital infrastructure and sovereign computing.
“This partnership is truly historic,” said Mojtaba, Chief Executive Officer of IOPn Ltd. “By introducing the world’s first Citizenship-by-Investment program on blockchain, São Tomé and Príncipe is setting a global benchmark for digital sovereignty, and the UAE is proudly at the heart of this transformation. Through this initiative, we are proving that UAE-built technologies can empower nations.”
Boosting the UAE’s Innovation Ecosystem
This collaboration offers direct benefits to the UAE’s domestic tech community by creating new demand for local talent and enterprises in AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity. Through IOPn’s expanding network, Emirati startups and specialists will have opportunities to export homegrown technologies and contribute to digital nation-building projects globally.
The initiative aligns with the UAE’s focus on South-South partnerships and supports the long-term objectives of the UAE Centennial 2071 vision by strengthening the country’s knowledge-based economy and demonstrating how innovation can advance transparency and inclusivity across borders.
About IOPn
IOPn, headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, is a sovereign technology ecosystem developing AI and blockchain infrastructure through OPN Chain, an EVM-compatible Layer-1 blockchain that enables governments and enterprises to manage digital identity, tokenize real-world assets, and implement decentralized financial solutions.
Source: MEA TechWatch