Microsoft will invest more than $10 billion in capital and operating expenditure in the Middle East through 2030, as the technology giant accelerates its cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure expansion across Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The investment forms part of a new regional framework under which Microsoft will expand cloud and AI capacity, deepen partnerships with governments and national AI organisations, and strengthen digital resilience and connectivity.
Microsoft said the investment reflects its confidence in the region’s ambitions to accelerate AI adoption and build digital economies. The company will work with governments and national AI champions on areas including sovereign-ready cloud services, Arabic and multilingual AI, and AI-enabled public services.
"We are expanding our investments in the Middle East with confidence in the region’s future as it pursues one of the world’s most ambitious AI transformations. We will add to our local partnerships across the region. We will build on the work we have done to stand by these countries’ governments and people through a period of significant challenges. As we look to the future, we will invest further in technology, digital resilience, and the people across the region," said Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft.
"Microsoft has served the Middle East since it began operations in the region in 1991. Since then, we’ve steadily expanded our presence and investments, growing from a local technology provider into a long-term partner to governments, businesses, educational institutions, and civil society organizations. Today, Microsoft is reaffirming that commitment through a new framework focused initially on Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
"As we expand our cloud and AI infrastructure in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, we will do so with a focus on responsible growth. Guided by Microsoft’s global goals to address carbon, water, waste, and ecosystems, we will work with our lessor partners to ensure that the cloud infrastructure supporting our services advances Microsoft’s water-positive ambitions, including by prioritizing zero-water cooling technologies where feasible," said Smith in a blog.
The company also plans to invest more than $400 million in subsea and terrestrial connectivity by 2030, expanding network capacity and strengthening regional data flows.
As part of the initiative, Microsoft will launch a Middle East digital resilience programme focused on business continuity, data protection and recovery capabilities, while deepening cybersecurity cooperation with authorities in the four countries.
The company said it would also work with governments and other partners on responsible AI governance, testing and assurance, while continuing AI research addressing areas such as food security, climate resilience and low-resource languages.
On skills, Microsoft said it would build on existing programmes aimed at helping more than 4.2 million people develop AI and digital skills by 2030, with initiatives targeting public-sector leaders, students, workers and women.
