PC: MENAbytes
A six-year agreement to drive digital transformation in healthcare, finance, oil, gas, and more.
UAE-based telecom giant e& has signed a $1 billion partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to accelerate cloud adoption and digital transformation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This six-year collaboration aims to leverage AWS’s cloud infrastructure and e&’s regional network to offer secure and scalable cloud solutions across various regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and oil and gas.
As cloud adoption continues to rise in the Middle East, the deal is expected to deliver core cloud services including storage, computing, networking, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence (AI). According to a report by PwC, approximately 70% of companies in the region plan to migrate most of their operations to the cloud within the next two years, making the e&-AWS partnership timely for the region’s growing demand for advanced cloud services.
Combining Strengths for a Regional Impact
This partnership combines AWS’s cutting-edge cloud technology with e&’s established telecommunications infrastructure, creating a foundation to meet the region’s unique and stringent requirements for secure, scalable cloud services. By focusing on industries with high regulatory standards, such as healthcare and finance, the collaboration aims to deliver cloud services that comply with security and data privacy regulations in these critical sectors.
Both companies see this partnership as a way to unlock the potential of AI and data-driven technologies in the region, giving businesses the tools to thrive in an increasingly digital economy. AWS’s cloud offerings, combined with e&’s reach, will enable businesses to innovate, optimise operations, and accelerate their digital transformation journeys.
Modernising Key Platforms
As part of the deal, e& will utilise AWS’s cloud services to upgrade the digital infrastructure of key platforms under its portfolio. These include Starzplay Arabia, a regional TV streaming service, and Careem, the Middle East’s “everything app.” e& owns a large stake in both firms, and the partnership aims to modernise their platforms to improve user experience and enhance operational efficiency.
In addition to modernising these platforms, e& will use AWS’s expertise to enhance its own services, providing a broader array of cloud solutions to businesses across the MENA region. This includes AI-driven technologies that will help companies optimise their operations and tap into new revenue streams.
Supporting UAE’s Vision 2031
A crucial aspect of the partnership is its contribution to the UAE’s Vision 2031, a government strategy focused on driving economic diversification and digital transformation. As part of the agreement, the partnership will provide cloud and AI training to thousands of individuals across the region, with a particular emphasis on UAE nationals. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader goals of building a tech-savvy workforce and strengthening the country’s position as a global digital hub.
Strengthening AWS’s Presence in the Middle East
The agreement builds on AWS’s ongoing investment in the region. In 2022, AWS launched its second Middle East cloud region in the UAE, and it has committed to investing $5 billion in the local economy through 2036. This latest partnership with e& further solidifies AWS’s role in supporting the region’s digital transformation and its growing demand for cloud technologies.
Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, emphasised that the partnership will enable businesses in the region to lead in an AI-powered, data-driven economy. Tanuja Randery, AWS VP for Europe, Middle East, and Africa, echoed this sentiment, describing the collaboration as a significant step in AWS’s long-term investment in the UAE.
