UAE Firms Lead Global Peers in Transformation Readiness

Organisations in the UAE are better prepared for transformation than their global peers, according to the new PROI Transformation Readiness Index 2025. The UAE achieved an overall score of 81 compared with the global average of 73, outperforming across all four pillars of readiness: Planning, Leadership, Engagement and Monitoring.

In a business environment shaped by AI disruption, geopolitical shifts, climate urgency and generational change, transformation is now the norm. But while globally only one in four leaders rate their transformation communication as effective, UAE entities reported higher capability and alignment.

On the critical measure of explaining the purpose of change, UAE leaders scored 4.2 out of 5, compared with 3.7 globally, underlining their ability to communicate transformation clearly and secure alignment at speed.

The international study, conducted by PROI Worldwide - the world’s largest partnership of independent communication consultancies - surveyed 675 executives and 25 senior transformation experts in more than 30 countries, offering both quantitative insights and qualitative depth.

Global Findings:

> Only 1 in 4 business leaders rate their company’s transformation communication as effective.

> Organisations that integrate communication early and consistently report higher success rates and stronger employee alignment.

> Monitoring is the weakest link, with 65% of respondents lacking systems to track communication effectiveness during change.

> A clear link was found between internal trust and transformation success, with trust often undermined by poor or inconsistent messaging.

“Transformation fails not because strategy is flawed, but because communication breaks down,” said Dirk Aarts, Project Leader of the PROI Transformation Report. “This study shows that communication is the engine that moves transformation forward. Without it, even the best plans stall.”

UAE Perspective

As PROI Worldwide’s exclusive partner in the UAE, regional communications consultancy Mojo facilitated the local market research and provided context for the findings.

“The UAE is a proving ground for transformation, where national ambition drives a relentless pace and a highly diverse workforce demands clarity at speed. This has pressure-tested organisations to communicate and align quickly, helping explain why the UAE scores ahead of global peers. Our work with clients shows that sustaining momentum depends on keeping employees, managers and external stakeholders aligned when change never slows down,” said Louise Mezzina, PR Partner, Mojo.

UAE Findings:

> Visible leadership - senior leaders are highly trusted and effective in setting goals and direction.

> Middle managers as hinge point - transformation depends on their ability to sustain alignment through dialogue, especially in hierarchical organisations.

> External engagement gap - regulators, partners and customers are less involved in transformation efforts, creating a potential blind spot in a policy-driven market.

> Transient workforce - high employee turnover makes alignment short-lived unless it is constantly renewed, not just a one-off push at the start of a transformation programme.

The PROI Transformation Readiness Report 2025 provides benchmarks, case insights and tools for business leaders and communicators preparing for, navigating, or recovering from organisational change.