IBM announced an expanded Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with AWS to accelerate secure cloud adoption and digital transformation across the Middle East (the “Collaboration”). The Collaboration will leverage IBM Consulting’s deep industry expertise, AI and hybrid cloud technology leadership, alongside the cloud capabilities of AWS, to accelerate digital transformation.
The demand for cloud services is rapidly growing, driven by emerging use cases in generative AI (GenAI), machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Across the Middle East, the cloud computing market is booming, with sectors such as e-government, public, healthcare, retail, banking, and manufacturing leading the charge. In Saudi Arabia and the UAE, bold digital transformation agendas such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE Digital Economy Strategy are driving both governments and enterprises to accelerate cloud adoption, invest in GenAI, and modernize national infrastructure. The goal is to boost productivity, enable new business models, and enhance customer experiences. As a result, organizations are increasingly turning to public cloud providers and trusted partners with a proven track record to help accelerate their digital transformation and maximize business value.
The Collaboration between IBM and AWS is designed to accelerate technology transformation across the region, combining deep industry expertise with joint investments in go-to-market and delivery capabilities. Building on IBM Consulting’s Global AWS Practice and its strong credentials including market-leading competencies in cloud migration, data platform modernization, and responsible GenAI across multiple industries, the collaboration with AWS aims to help regional clients modernize their operations and unlock new value.
IBM and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced a strategic collaboration to strengthen cloud adoption and digital transformation across the Middle East. A central part of this initiative is the planned launch of the first IBM-AWS joint Innovation Hub in Riyadh, designed to showcase their combined capabilities and empower customers with cutting-edge technologies.
The Riyadh hub will allow enterprises to explore proofs of concept, test innovative use cases, and gain hands-on experience with the latest cloud technologies and industry-specific solutions. These include advanced IBM offerings such as watsonx. Building on successful models already established in India and Romania, the hub will be tailored to meet the needs of both public and private sector innovators in the region.
To scale this effort, IBM will expand its AWS Practice across the Middle East, with a focus on growing technical and delivery expertise. The company also plans to invest in talent development in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, including certification programs for local practitioners. This skilled talent pool will be critical in helping organizations navigate the entire spectrum of cloud transformation—from strategy design to execution and long-term optimization.
AWS, in turn, will support IBM in developing localized cloud solutions. These offerings will include Contact Center Intelligence, Autonomous Security Compliance, Supply Chain Ensemble, Oil & Gas analytics, Smart Government, and AI-powered citizen engagement tools. Each solution is designed to align with national priorities such as economic diversification and sustainability while accelerating modernization and migration to the cloud.
Security forms another cornerstone of the collaboration. By combining IBM Consulting’s end-to-end cybersecurity services with AWS’s robust cloud infrastructure, the two companies aim to set new benchmarks for cloud security in the region. A key component of this effort is Autonomous Security for Cloud (ASC), IBM Consulting’s managed service that uses AI-driven automation to enforce uniform security policies. Together, IBM and AWS will deliver tailored security assessments to help organizations, especially those in regulated sectors, comply with standards like the NCA Essential Cybersecurity Controls (ECC) and ADHICS from the outset of their cloud journeys.
The partnership also emphasizes sustainability initiatives, aligning with the Saudi Green Initiative and the UAE’s sustainability vision. Through solutions such as IBM Consulting’s Sustainability Disclosure Assist and Sustainable Product Ledger for Oil & Gas, businesses will be able to modernize IT infrastructure while advancing toward net-zero goals and meeting broader ESG mandates.
“This collaboration represents a significant milestone in IBM’s commitment to helping organizations across the Middle East, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, realize their digital transformation ambitions,” said Lula Mohanty, Managing Partner – Middle East and Africa at IBM Consulting. “Our partnership with AWS will help organizations leverage the power of cloud technologies while building critical technical capabilities in the region.”
“Our collaboration with IBM will enable businesses and governments across the Middle East to adopt breakthrough technologies at scale, while reinventing core processes with AI,” added Tanuja Randery, Managing Director and Vice President EMEA at AWS. “This will enable organizations to access new levels of agility and resilience through the cloud.”
This collaboration underscores IBM and AWS’s commitment to accelerating cloud transformation, driving innovation, and supporting sustainability goals in the Middle East.
