Make some Noise the World is Listening
PROCUREMENT WITH PURPOSE
Mario Khalil on Driving Strategic Value at Anghami OSN+
In the fast paced world of digital streaming, procurement is no longer just a back office function; it’s a strategic driver of agility, innovation and sustainable growth. As Procurement Director MENA at Anghami OSN+, Mario Khalil plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s procurement strategy across a highly dynamic and diverse region.
In this exclusive interview, Mario shares how his team delivers impact across technology, marketing and content functions, while navigating the unique challenges of media and tech procurement. From embracing digital tools and ESG integration to fostering supplier partnerships and managing risk, he offers a forward looking perspective on how procurement can enable competitive advantage in the streaming industry. His insights are a powerful reflection of what it means to lead with both strategic precision and a passion for progress.
Career Journey
Can you share your career journey and what led you to your current role as Procurement Director MENA at Anghami OSN+? What have been the pivotal moments that shaped your approach to procurement and leadership in the media and tech industry?
My procurement journey has been built on curiosity, adaptability and a passion for problem solving. Over the years, I’ve worked across a variety of industries, which gave me a broad perspective on how procurement can deliver both cost savings and strategic value. Landing the role of Procurement Director MENA at Anghami OSN+ felt like a natural progression – it brought together my passion for innovation with the fast paced challenges of the streaming and digital media space.
One pivotal moment in my career was leading a digital procurement transformation initiative. It not only elevated the function’s role within the business but also changed the internal perception of procurement from a support role to a strategic partner. That experience significantly shaped my approach to leadership and confirmed my belief in the power of procurement to drive real business impact.
Procurement’s Role in Streaming Services
Procurement plays a significant role in supporting digital platforms. How does your procurement team at Anghami OSN+ contribute to ensuring the seamless operation and growth of the streaming service in the MENA region?
Procurement is a strategic enabler at Anghami OSN+, operating quietly yet critically behind the scenes to support the seamless operation and growth of our streaming service across the MENA region. Our role extends far beyond cost control we’re actively engaged in supporting the business by negotiating value driven agreements across both technology and creative functions.
Our collaboration with the Marketing team is equally important. We ensure their campaigns are executed with agility by procuring digital and production services quickly and effectively, contributing to timely and impactful delivery.
By aligning procurement with overall business objectives, we help drive scalability, operational resilience and user satisfaction. In doing so, we contribute directly to the platform’s ability to innovate and grow sustainably in a competitive and fast evolving digital landscape.
Sustainability in Procurement
Sustainability is becoming a key focus for businesses globally. How is Anghami OSN+ integrating sustainable practices within its procurement processes, especially in sourcing technology and services for its platform?
Sustainability isn’t a checkbox it’s a mindset. At Anghami OSN+, we’re fully aware of the environmental impact of our technology and vendor choices. We’re committed to integrating sustainability into our procurement practices by selecting partners who share and reflect our environmental values.
It’s an ongoing journey, but it’s one we’re fully dedicated to. Our aim is to support the business while making smarter, more responsible decisions that benefit not only our operations but also the planet and future generations.
Supplier Relationships and Collaboration
In a fast-moving industry like streaming, strong supplier relationships are critical. How do you ensure transparent and mutually beneficial relationships with your suppliers to support the continuous growth and innovation of Anghami OSN+?
We don’t just manage vendors we build partnerships. In an industry where timelines are tight and innovation moves fast, transparency and mutual trust are absolutely essential. We prioritise open communication, align KPIs from the outset and regularly review performance together to ensure we’re on the same page.
Whether we’re working with a global technology provider or a regional partner, we treat our suppliers as true extensions of our team. This collaborative approach leads to better responsiveness, greater flexibility during challenges and ultimately, shared success that supports the continuous growth and innovation of Anghami OSN+.
Technology and Procurement Transformation
As technology evolves, so do procurement practices. How is Anghami OSN+ using digital tools and innovations to streamline its procurement operations, improve efficiency, and stay ahead of the competition in the digital streaming space?
We’ve embraced digital tools not just for the sake of innovation, but to genuinely enhance how procurement delivers value. At Anghami OSN+, we leverage digital solutions to streamline our processes, enable data driven decision making and improve visibility across all procurement activities.
These tools help reduce friction, free up time for more strategic work and allow us to operate proactively rather than reactively. The result is a more agile, insight led and business aligned procurement function one that supports the speed and complexity of the digital streaming space while helping us stay competitive.
Regional Adaptation in Procurement
Given the diverse cultural and business landscape across the MENA region, how does your procurement strategy account for regional variations in demand and regulatory requirements while ensuring consistency across the Anghami OSN+ platform?
Procurement across the MENA region is anything but one size fits all. Every market has its own regulations, cultural expectations and level of maturity. Our strategy is built on flexibility – we ensure compliance with local requirements while tailoring supplier engagement to fit each market’s unique dynamics.
At the same time, we maintain centralised oversight to ensure consistency across the platform and to leverage group level economies of scale. It’s about striking the right balance: being locally responsive while maintaining regional cohesion. That balance allows us to operate efficiently and effectively across a diverse and complex landscape.
At Anghami OSN+, we leverage digital solutions to streamline our processes, enable data driven decision making and improve visibility across all procurement activities.
Managing Cost Efficiency
In the competitive streaming industry, managing costs is crucial. What strategies do you use to ensure cost efficiency in procurement while maintaining high-quality products and services for Anghami OSN+ users in the MENA region?
We approach cost efficiency as an ongoing mission, not a one time target. Through strategic demand planning, consolidated sourcing and disciplined negotiations, we focus on securing the best possible value for the business.
However, cost saving doesn’t mean cutting corners. We consistently evaluate ROI, focus on the total cost of ownership and cultivate long term vendor relationships that deliver continuous savings and added value. This disciplined, value driven mindset helps us remain competitive in a fast moving industry where costs can easily escalate without proper control.
Risk Management in Digital Media Procurement
With global supply chain disruptions and technological changes, how does Anghami OSN+ manage risks in its procurement processes to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and platform stability?
In our space, disruptions can come from anywhere whether it’s technical issues, supply constraints or regulatory changes. That’s why risk management is embedded into every step of our procurement approach.
We conduct thorough assessments of our partners, plan for contingencies and build flexibility into our agreements to adapt when needed. By staying closely aligned with internal teams and continuously monitoring market dynamics, we’re able to respond quickly and effectively.
Our top priority is to ensure uninterrupted platform performance, regardless of the external challenges we may face.
Challenges in Media & Tech Procurement
What are some of the unique challenges you face in procurement for a digital streaming platform, and how does Anghami OSN+ address these to stay ahead in an ever-evolving market?
One of the biggest challenges is the sheer pace of change. Technologies evolve rapidly and the business environment is highly dynamic demanding constant adaptation and innovation.
We address this by staying curious, collaborative and closely connected to both our internal teams and the external market. Agility is key. The ability to pivot quickly while remaining compliant and cost conscious is what allows us to stay ahead in a competitive and fast moving industry.
Future Trends in Digital Media Procurement
What trends do you see shaping the future of procurement in the digital media and streaming industries, and how is Anghami OSN+ preparing to adapt to these changes in the years ahead?
We’re entering an era where procurement needs to be smarter, faster and more strategic than ever before. Emerging technologies will continue to reshape the procurement landscape, and sustainability will remain a major focus area across the industry.
At Anghami OSN+, we’re already laying the groundwork for this future. We’re testing new technologies, strengthening our data governance and building innovation focused partnerships. For us, the future isn’t just about automation it’s about being truly future ready: adaptable, forward looking and aligned with evolving business and consumer expectations in real time.
Anghami is the first legal music streaming platform in the Middle East and North Africa, offering over 57 million Arabic and international tracks and 200,000 podcasts to more than 73 million users worldwide. Launched in Beirut in 2012 and now headquartered in Abu Dhabi, Anghami championed licensed streaming and supports artists with fair royalties.
Mario Khalil Procurement Director (MENA) & Head of Lebanon Office