Dr. Al Ahbabi is the Director General of the UAE Space Agency and played a key role in its establishment. He leads the Space Agency team managing ambitious projects in the national space sector such as the oversight of the Emirates Mars Mission and scientific and educational satellite projects, in collaboration with various stakeholders.

Nationally, Dr. Al Ahbabi played a key role in the establishment and management of strategic projects, such as leading a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in the Defense sector and the National Space Science and Technology Center (NSSTC) at the UAE University (UAEU). In addition Dr. Al Ahbabi managed the military aspects of the Al Yah MilSatCom. Dr. Al Ahbabi is a board member for the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), and Global Aerospace Logistics Company (GAL) as well as a board member for the TRA's ICT Fund. Most recently, he has been appointed board member to the Federal Geographical Information Centre. Dr. Al Ahbabi is a board member for the UAE University as well as the President of the Board of Trustees for the UAE University's NSSTC. Dr. Al Ahbabi is a board member for Khalifa University, the UAE’s highest ranked University. He is also an Advisory Board member for the College of Law for the University of Sharjah and a member of the Advisory Committee for New York University Abu Dhabi’s Centre for Space Science as well as serving on other national committees.

Regionally, Dr. Al Ahbabi led the establishment of the Arab Space Cooperation Group which was formed in the UAE in 2019 and includes 14 Arab countries. He is also a board member of the Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.

Internationally, Dr. Al Ahbabi was elected to serve as the Vice President for Global Membership Development of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in 2018. He is a member of the advisory board of the International Space University (ISU) in France and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Regional Centres for Space Science and Technology Education for Western Asia in Jordan affiliated to the United Nations. He is one of the 15 Most Influential Personalities in Space Exploration in 2018 and one of the top 50 Arab Power List 100 in Gulf Business in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Dr. Al Ahbabi holds a PhD in Communications Engineering and a Master’s degree in Optical Communications, University of Southampton, UK. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from University of California, USA, in addition to completing several specialised courses in military and civilian fields.