Hungary’s 4iG Group signed preliminary strategic cooperation agreements on July 17 with two of the United Arab Emirates’ most prominent companies, telecoms and technology group e& and sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company. 4iG's space unit, 4iG SDRT, has also signed three preliminary defence agreements with EDGE Group, one of the world’s fastest-growing military technology firms.

The deals, announced during the official visit of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Budapest, are designed to foster joint initiatives in digital infrastructure, telecommunications and strategic investments, with a particular focus on the CEE and MENA regions along with the Western Balkans.

4iG and e& have agreed to explore joint subsea data cable projects that would improve digital connectivity between Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The partners are also planning the joint development of a data centre in Albania, and eyeing further digital infrastructure ventures in Hungary, including projects with PPF Telecom.

"This partnership with the UAE’s leading technology and investment players supports 4iG’s growth strategy at home and internationally," said 4iG chairman Gellert Jászai, highlighting the long-term value in cross-border collaboration. "The agreements open new doors for 4iG in key regional markets and connect us with global innovation hubs," he added.

e& CEO Hatem Dowidar called the deal “an important step in advancing cross-regional digital infrastructure,” noting that robust, scalable infrastructure is essential to innovation and economic resilience.

Mubadala, which manages a portfolio exceeding $330bn across sectors including space, digital infrastructure and advanced technologies, has agreed to explore joint investment, M&A and capital market opportunities with 4iG, primarily in Hungary and the Western Balkans.

4iG has grown from a small IT company to a regional ICT leader with a heavy presence in the Western Balkans. Its strategic expansion and acquisitions have positioned it as a critical player in both civilian and defence innovation, including satellite communications and advanced military systems. The company’s growth has been aided by the Hungarian government's strategic push to foster national champions in key sectors such as defence, telecoms and critical infrastructure. 4iG’s revenue jumped to HUF700bn (€1.75bn) in revenue last year, compared to just HUF15bn a decade ago.

4iG’s space unit, 4iG SDT, in a separate statement, announced that it has signed three key agreements with EDGE Group to co-develop and localise advanced defence technologies, including air defence systems (Skynight), loitering munitions (Shasow), and drone traffic management platforms (Vega, Orion).  

The partnership aims to deliver NATO-compatible solutions for European and African markets and includes plans for joint R&D, production, and potential joint ventures. Both sides see the collaboration as a step toward building sovereign defence capabilities and expanding their global reach.

On Thursday, Hungary signed 14 agreements with the UAE that will create new opportunities in the two countries' relations, primarily in the areas of energy, agriculture and food industry, defence industry, telecommunications and new technologies, the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

Energy links are expected to intensify as a result of Hungary's Energy Ministry signing an agreement with the UAE's Ministry of Investment and the Masdar company on cooperation in the area of green and renewable energy, and storage capacities for renewable energy. An agreement between the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and UAE's Ministry of Investment is expected to give new impetus to cooperation in the food industry and agriculture, helping Hungarian technologies reach a market in the UAE.

The Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development signed an agreement with the UAE's Ministry of Cabinet Affairs on sharing government development and modernisation experiences, and the Ministry of Culture and Innovation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UAE Ministry of Family on deepening cooperation in family and youth policies.

On the sidelines of the visit, the Budapest Stock Exchange and the Abu-Dhabi Stock Exchange signed a cooperation agreement.