Global tech firms expand in Saudi Arabia amid AI and digital boom

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a rapid acceleration in technology investments alongside its major development projects, creating broad opportunities for technology companies to offer their expertise and solutions in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, digital infrastructure, data centers, and workplace technologies. Against this backdrop, international and regional firms are strengthening their local presence and forging long-term partnerships, capitalizing on the growing demand for advanced digital solutions and their increasing role in supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Technical expertise to support major projects

Khaled Al-Mannai, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Committee at Al Mannai Information Technology, a Saudi subsidiary of Mannai Corporation QPSC, said the Kingdom’s development momentum and its associated mega-projects present significant opportunities for technology companies with specialized expertise. He noted that the company aims to leverage its nearly 50 years of experience in IT to meet the needs of the Saudi market and contribute to the country’s digital transformation journey.

Al-Mannai added that the company has built extensive expertise through work with government agencies, ministries, municipalities, banks, and private sector institutions, and now seeks to bring this experience to Saudi Arabia as the country prepares to implement massive development projects over the next decade. These projects require advanced technologies and companies with specialized know-how across multiple fields.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia’s hosting of Expo 2030 Riyadh and the 2034 FIFA World Cup will create further opportunities for technology firms, adding that Al Mannai operates in diverse areas including networks, software, and specialized technology solutions.

He explained that the company’s involvement in projects related to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, including stadium infrastructure and cybersecurity, has helped build expertise that the company now aims to utilize and adapt for the Saudi market.

He added that Mannai Corporation has had a presence in Qatar for around 75 years, with its IT operations spanning nearly five decades. The company entered the Saudi market about a year ago and continues to expand its activities and capitalize on available opportunities.

Integrated cloud solutions for vital sectors

Meanwhile, Mohamed Saadeh, Regional Director at IFS in Saudi Arabia, emphasized that successful digital transformation requires the integration of several elements, from specialized applications to robust cloud infrastructure.

He explained that IFS provides specialized enterprise applications for asset-intensive sectors, and its partnership with Microsoft enables clients to benefit from advanced cloud infrastructure, allowing them to combine tailored enterprise solutions with cutting-edge cloud technologies in a unified ecosystem.

Saadeh described Saudi Arabia as a key growth market for IFS, not only regionally but also globally. He noted that the transformations driven by Vision 2030 span major sectors in which the company operates, including infrastructure, electricity, oil, and gas.

He affirmed that IFS aims to establish a permanent presence in the Kingdom and help empower the local technology ecosystem, enhancing its ability to serve customers in the market. He added that IFS’s participation in the LEAP 2026 conference reflects its commitment to the Saudi market and its focus on strengthening ties with clients, partners, and decision-makers.

AI reshaping the workplace

Murad Ali, Head of Logitech for Business in the Middle East and Central Asia, said Saudi Arabia is an important market for the company, given the Kingdom’s significant investments in artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

He noted that Logitech has a strong presence in the Saudi market and a network of local partners, and aims to play an active role in supporting Vision 2030 through collaboration with government agencies, banks, healthcare, education, and other sectors.

He added that the company’s solutions are not limited to a single sector, serving a wide range of industries with specialized offerings for education, financial services, healthcare, and government entities.

Ali pointed out that artificial intelligence is one of the most prominent trends reshaping workplace environments, with organizations increasingly focused on how to adopt and integrate AI safely and seamlessly with existing systems. He noted that Logitech is facilitating this adoption through solutions that support integration, security, and ease of use.

He stressed that the rise of hybrid and remote work models has also increased the need for more flexible collaboration technologies. The company offers solutions for individuals and meeting rooms to make meetings easier, more productive, and less costly, without requiring complex technical expertise.

Local partnerships to support data center expansion

In the data center sector, Khaled Al-Jamed, General Manager for the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at Submer, said that local partnerships are a key part of the company’s growth strategy in Saudi Arabia and the region.

He explained that Submer’s collaboration with ACES combines the company’s global expertise in data center infrastructure with ACES’s local experience in construction, IT systems integration, and technical services, helping to turn advanced solutions and expertise into viable projects on the ground.

Al-Jamed noted that Saudi Arabia hosts the company’s regional headquarters for the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, as well as its engineering and consulting services center. He added that future growth plans include expansion into the UAE and North African markets.

He emphasized that local partners are an essential part of Submer’s business model, whether in construction, electrical work, or technical services, especially as investments in AI and data centers accelerate.

He added that the availability of land, renewable energy sources, and supportive government regulations and incentives enhance Saudi Arabia’s attractiveness for data center and AI infrastructure investment. Submer aims to transfer its European expertise in sustainable data centers and adapt it to the needs of the Saudi market, supporting the development of local expertise that can be expanded to other regional markets in the future.