Faisal Al Bannai

Faisal Al Bannai is a pioneering Emirati technology entrepreneur and business leader whose career reflects the UAE’s drive towards innovation, advanced technology, and global competitiveness. With a track record of founding and leading transformative companies, he has played a central role in shaping the country’s digital and defence landscapes. Al Bannai first made his mark as the founder of Axiom Telecom, which grew into one of the Middle East’s largest and most successful mobile device distributors. His ability to anticipate consumer trends and capitalise on the region’s fast-growing telecommunications market positioned Axiom as a leader in its field. Building on this success, he went on to establish DarkMatter, a cybersecurity company that became a key player in providing advanced digital security solutions. The venture underscored his vision for safeguarding digital infrastructure at a time when cybersecurity was becoming a cornerstone of global security. Today, Faisal Al Bannai serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDGE Group, a cutting-edge technology and defence organisation based in the UAE. EDGE has quickly established itself as one of the world’s most advanced defence groups, focusing on areas such as autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and cyber technologies. Under his leadership, EDGE has aligned with the UAE’s strategic goal of developing sovereign defence capabilities and reducing reliance on imports. In addition, he holds the position of Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) in Abu Dhabi. In this role, he helps steer the emirate’s research and development agenda, fostering innovation across sectors ranging from aerospace and robotics to quantum computing and biotechnology. Through his entrepreneurial ventures and leadership roles, Faisal Al Bannai has become a driving force in the UAE’s ambition to position itself at the forefront of global technology and defence innovation.