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Dubai, UAE – October 2025: IBM and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have officially expanded their strategic collaboration to deliver IBM’s enterprise-grade software portfolio on AWS Cloud Regions across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) — a move expected to accelerate regional digital transformation and bolster local cloud adoption. IBM Newsroom - Middle East & Africa This partnership marks a major milestone in the cloud technology landscape of the Middle East, enabling government entities, enterprises, and innovative startups to modernize their IT infrastructures, harness artificial intelligence (AI), and meet evolving data sovereignty requirements. Expanding Cloud Services Locally with SaaS Delivery Under the new agreement, IBM’s extensive software suite — including advanced data, AI, and automation solutions — will be available as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) on AWS’s cloud platforms located within the UAE and KSA. IBM Newsroom - Middle East & Africa Key Benefits for Regional Organizations 🚀 Accelerated digital transformation through simplified SaaS deployment 🛡️ Improved compliance and data governance with local cloud hosting 📈 Scalable, secure AI and cloud workloads powered by AWS’s infrastructure 🤝 Greater flexibility for public and private sector innovation By hosting solutions like IBM’s watsonx AI and enterprise platforms locally, organizations can unlock new levels of efficiency while addressing industry-specific challenges across sectors like finance, healthcare, government, and telecommunications. IBM Newsroom - M Supporting National Digital Agendas The collaboration reinforces both the UAE’s and Saudi Arabia’s ambitious technology strategies, including the UAE’s Digital Economy goals and Saudi Vision 2030. These initiatives emphasize digital autonomy, cloud adoption, and next-generation innovation as pillars of economic growth. IBM’s Senior Vice President for EMEA and Growth Markets, Ana Paula Assis, emphasized that local access to IBM cloud software enables businesses to build and scale AI-driven solutions with speed and confidence, while meeting strict regulatory standards. IBM Newsroom - Middle East & Africa Similarly, Tanuja Randery, Managing Director and Vice President for AWS EMEA, noted the collaboration’s importance in securing the region’s digital future — combining IBM’s software strengths with the security, resilience, and agility of AWS Cloud infrastructure. IBM Newsroom - Middle East & Africa Why Local Cloud Regions Matter Historically, many organizations in the Gulf region hosted critical systems and data outside the Middle East. However, this shifted as AWS launched its first cloud region in the UAE in 2022. Saudi Arabia is expected to have a fully operational AWS Cloud Region by 2026, further enhancing local cloud capacity. IBM Newsroom - Middle East & Africa Impact of Regional Cloud Availability Reduced latency for users and applications Enhanced data sovereignty and regulatory alignment Greater business continuity and resilience Stronger support for hybrid and multi-cloud architectures By localizing IBM’s software services on AWS infrastructure, the partnership addresses key concerns around compliance, security, and performance — especially for regulated industries and public institutions. Longstanding Partnership with Growing Momentum This expanded collaboration builds on a long-standing global relationship between IBM and AWS. The two giants have previously teamed up on cloud migrations, AI platforms, and joint consulting services worldwide. IBM Newsroom - Middle East & Africa Recent developments in the Middle East signal a shared commitment to innovation, including: Plans for an IBM-AWS Innovation Hub in Riyadh to boost cloud adoption and offer hands-on access to emerging technologies. IBM Newsroom - Middle East & Africa Expanded cloud skills development and talent certification programs in both the UAE and KSA. Consulting Point These initiatives aim not only to provide technical solutions but also to build local expertise — a critical factor for sustaining long-term digital growth. Looking Ahead: Cloud-First Growth in the Middle East The expanded IBM-AWS collaboration reflects broader digital transformation trends across the Middle East’s vibrant tech ecosystem. With cloud adoption rising and enterprise workloads shifting toward scalable, secure architectures, regional businesses now have new pathways to innovate faster and compete globally. Whether it’s modernizing legacy systems or launching AI-enabled customer experiences, local cloud availability combined with trusted enterprise software is accelerating the pace of change in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.