UAE Fortifies Tech Sovereignty with AMI & KERNO Server Deal

DUBAI, UAE – February 11, 2026 – In a move that powerfully underscores the United Arab Emirates' drive for technological independence, American firmware leader AMI has formalized a major technology licensing agreement with KERNO Enterprise, the UAE's first enterprise-level IT hardware manufacturer. The deal, announced during an exclusive tour of KERNO's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis on February 10, marks a pivotal moment in the region's efforts to build a resilient, secure, and sovereign digital infrastructure.

Under the terms of the agreement, KERNO will manufacture its new line of enterprise servers, AI servers, and data storage systems built upon AMI's globally recognized firmware. This collaboration aims to localize the production of mission-critical hardware, directly supporting the UAE's ambitious national strategies, including the 'Make it in the Emirates' initiative and 'Operation 300bn'. The partnership is set to not only reduce reliance on international supply chains but also position the UAE as a trusted hub for high-value technology manufacturing.

Forging a Digital Fortress in the Desert

The AMI-KERNO alliance is far more than a standard business transaction; it is a strategic pillar in the UAE's national quest for technological sovereignty. For years, the nation has been architecting a future less dependent on oil and more reliant on a diversified, knowledge-based economy. Central to this vision is the control and security of its own digital backbone.

This initiative is formalized through sweeping government programs like 'Operation 300bn,' which aims to more than double the industrial sector's contribution to the national GDP to AED 300 billion by 2031. The 'Make it in the Emirates' campaign, a key component of this strategy, actively encourages and supports companies like KERNO to develop and manufacture high-tech products locally. By producing enterprise-grade servers within its borders, the UAE is taking a concrete step to mitigate the geopolitical risks and logistical fragilities associated with global hardware supply chains.

KERNO's newly unveiled facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis is the physical embodiment of this policy. With a reported production capacity of over 60,000 units annually, the plant is equipped with advanced capabilities, including sophisticated surface-mount technology (SMT) and precision quality control systems. This allows for the end-to-end creation of complex server motherboards and systems, localizing intellectual property and dramatically shortening delivery times for regional clients in the data center and enterprise sectors.

The Technology Powering 'Made in the Emirates'

At the heart of KERNO's new server lineup is a powerful trio of licensed technologies from AMI, ensuring that these locally-made machines are built on a foundation of world-class performance, manageability, and security.

The first component is Aptio® V, AMI's flagship UEFI BIOS firmware. Aptio serves as the fundamental software that boots the server, initializes the hardware, and hands control over to the operating system. Its modular, standards-compliant design ensures compatibility with the latest silicon platforms and operating systems, providing a reliable and performant base for KERNO's hardware.

Complementing this is MegaRAC® SPX, a comprehensive Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) firmware. This technology is critical for modern data centers, providing “lights-out” remote management. It allows system administrators to monitor, manage, troubleshoot, and update servers from anywhere in the world, independent of the server's power state or operating system. This robust out-of-band management capability is essential for maintaining the high availability and reliability demanded by enterprise and cloud environments.

Perhaps most critically, KERNO plans to implement Tektagon®, AMI's advanced firmware security solution. In an era of escalating and increasingly stealthy cyberattacks that target firmware, Tektagon provides a hardware-based Platform Root of Trust (PRoT). It is designed to protect, detect, and recover the system's firmware from unauthorized modification, adhering to the rigorous Platform Firmware Resiliency (PFR) guidelines outlined by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). By integrating Tektagon, KERNO servers will offer a built-in cyber-resiliency that is vital for protecting the nation's critical digital infrastructure.

A Blueprint for Global-Local Synergy

The partnership serves as a compelling model for global-local collaboration in the technology sector. For AMI, it provides deeper access to one of the world's fastest-growing digital economies and aligns the company with a key national strategic partner. For KERNO, it provides an immediate infusion of proven, market-leading technology, allowing it to bypass years of internal R&D and compete on a global stage from its inception.

"AMI is proud to partner with KERNO to deliver end‑to‑end platform firmware solutions, from Aptio and MegaRAC to Tektagon security," said Imran Ahmad, Chief Sales Officer at AMI, in a statement. "We are committed to supporting KERNO's 'Made in the Emirates' vision and their ongoing innovation roadmap."

This sentiment was echoed by KERNO's leadership, who emphasized the strategic alignment of the partnership with national goals.

"Working with AMI supports our mission to build robust, secure, and enterprise-grade server platforms locally and accelerating the UAE's ambitions in high-value digital infrastructure manufacturing," stated Chris Caswell, Founder & CEO of KERNO. "By combining global expertise with local execution, we aim to bring technological sovereignty to the UAE's and reinforce its position as a trusted hub for next-generation IT manufacturing."

This synergistic approach—combining international expertise with local manufacturing and strategic vision—is becoming a blueprint for how emerging tech hubs can rapidly accelerate their development and achieve specific sovereign goals.

Economic Ripples and a High-Tech Future

The impact of this venture is expected to extend far beyond the walls of the Dubai Silicon Oasis factory. The establishment of KERNO's operations is projected to create hundreds of skilled jobs, fostering a new generation of local talent in hardware engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance. This aligns with broader national programs that aim to create tens of thousands of jobs in priority industrial sectors over the next decade.

Economically, the initiative is a direct contributor to the goals of 'Operation 300bn'. By manufacturing and exporting high-value technological products, KERNO will help boost the industrial sector's contribution to the national GDP and enhance the country's trade balance in the technology sector. The localization of server production is also expected to have a ripple effect, stimulating growth in ancillary industries and services that support the new manufacturing ecosystem.

As the first 'Made in the Emirates' servers prepare to roll off the production line in the coming months, the AMI-KERNO partnership stands as a clear declaration. The UAE is no longer just a consumer of global technology; it is actively and strategically building the capacity to become a significant producer, securing its digital future from the silicon up.