Digital transformation in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region continues to advance rapidly and drive significant changes. And AI is proving central to those changes, maximizing data, potential, and possibilities. However, enterprises require a targeted, strategic approach and expertise to get the most out of AI.
I’ve been thinking a lot about AI and its possibilities recently. Many real-world use cases in MEA already demonstrate AI’s ability to transform multiple vertical industries and improve the services they provide.
Take healthcare as an example: AI-powered self-diagnostics tools are now being used to expedite treatment for patients in remote desert areas, using AI-powered mobile apps to connect to medical specialists in big cities. Studies show that AI-powered tools can reduce administrative workloads by up to 70%, giving healthcare professionals more time to dedicate to patient care. Patients are responsive to the AI shift, with 82% of UAE residents saying they’re open to using virtual health assistants for medical consultations.
Driving change in all areas of life
Healthcare is just one area where AI is having a life-changing impact. AI has the potential to impact economic diversification in general in MEA, with regional economies like the UAE and KSA spearheading initiatives like Vision 2030.
AI can play a vital role in reducing oil dependence in the region, and initiatives are already driving greater energy efficiency: the UAE is using AI for predictive maintenance and demand forecasting, as well as optimized resource allocation and grid management to help transform traditional utility operations. Bahrain is also harnessing AI to count its palm trees, with the goal of more accurate and efficient agricultural production.
MEA is home to the world’s most innovative smart city initiatives, with projects like The Line and other ambitious programs leveraging AI to power intelligent, work, and life-enhancing solutions and services. AI-powered infrastructure is already delivering throughout the region, with services like intelligent traffic management systems, smart energy grids that optimize power distribution and consumption, and AI-powered chatbots giving citizens next-generation experiences.
Abu Dhabi is a good example of a focused AI strategy. Abu Dhabi’s innovation hubs and technology parks have been designed to serve as catalysts for economic development, with projects like the pioneering Masdar City Free Zone and the Hub71 ecosystem. They empower startups, entrepreneurs, and MNCs to collaborate and innovate using AI to drive change in areas like renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
It all speaks to the ambition present in the region: the UAE has shown its faith in the potential of AI by establishing the Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technology Council (AIATC) to spearhead AI ecosystem development. The end goal is for the UAE to become AI’s global hub by 2031.
I’m confident that AI will be a catalyst for economic growth, social development, and innovation throughout MEA, and play a vital role in reshaping key industries like healthcare, finance, education, and logistics.
But there are still challenges
Despite this AI progress in MEA, there are still barriers to overcome. These include infrastructure gaps that can hinder effective rollouts, along with regulatory issues and legal compliance that add further complexity. The AI regulatory landscape in MEA is still largely evolving, and enterprises need to ensure AI initiatives handle customer data securely or risk loss of trust and brand damage.
Further, there is an AI skills shortage in our region: 58% of MEA companies say they have found it difficult to recruit for AI-related roles. And that comes hand-in-hand with research by IDC, which found 66% of MEA executives say AI is now part of the “hygiene factor”, those aspects of a job that make talented candidates want to work for you, along with pay, title, benefits, job security and working conditions.
Work together to maximize AI
It’s an exciting time for digital transformation, with AI ready to unlock new benefits and new ways forward for tech initiatives. According to Gartner, investment in digital in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will total $230.7 billion in 2025, an increase of 7.4% on 2024, and a significant percentage of that investment will be on AI. McKinsey predicts that AI could deliver $150 billion in economic value to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, equivalent to around 9% of GCC countries’ combined GDP. It’s clear that MEA enterprises need a strategy to deliver on AI’s promise – and that strategy requires the right partner.
Because there is so much to manage: to get the most AI, you need to be able to identify the most valuable business cases for your organization, and then ensure you have the right data in place to inform those AI deployments effectively.
You need the knowhow to harness the power of large language models (LLM) successfully, and the expertise to design and deliver a security environment tailored to the AI era. And you need it all to be enabled by a future-proof, agile, scalable network infrastructure that can grow as your business does.
Orange Business is a market-leading network and digital integrator, and we have worked on all the elements involved in enabling AI for many years. Our world class network and digital infrastructure, cybersecurity expertise and ecosystem of partners can help you access the services and solutions you need to deliver on your AI ambitions.
Sahem Azzam
Sahem Azzam is President - Indirect, Middle East & Africa, and Inner Asia at Orange Business. Based at the Dubai Innovation Hub and regional headquarters, he leads Orange Business teams across 60+ countries and oversees the company’s Indirect business channel via its global airline partner. His expertise spans infrastructure services, IoT, Big Data, Smart Cities, Blockchain, and IT service management, driving digital transformation across these diverse markets.