Canvio Flex
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External Hard Drives
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Top Features
• 2.5“ External Hard Drive
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• Compatible with smartphones / tablets / Macs / Windows PCs*
• Includes USB-C® and USB-A cable
• 3-year warranty
* Please check device compatibility
Marhaba Readers,
We are absolutely delighted, excited and pleased to present our first Saudi Arabia Edition of Techitup Middle East Magazine, in both English & Arabic. For everything in Tech & Business, we are a technology media publication, based in Dubai UAE, publishing news from tech and all major industries from across Middle East & Africa region. Exciting developments are unfolding in Saudi Arabia, and we’re here to bring you everything you need to know about the kingdom’s growing tech landscape, through both our print and online platforms.
Saudi Arabia’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, with its ICT sector leading the way as the largest and fastest-growing in the MENA region. Over the past six years, the kingdom has invested more than $24.8 billion in digital infrastructure, enhancing internet service quality. The rollout of 5G technology and improvements in internet coverage and accessibility are set to further accelerate the digital economy, boosting industries like e-commerce, telecommunications, and digital services.
Aligned with Vision 2030, the government is driving initiatives that promote emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and Cloud Computing, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the nation.
The Special Saudi Edition features a range of insightful features, exclusive interviews with tech leaders, 2025 trends and enterprise news from Saudi Arabia.
On the cover we have Santosh Varghese, Vice President at Toshiba Gulf, discussing how they are enabling the surveillance storage industry in Saudi, with a 50-55% market share.
Do have a look at the special feature on 2025 AI Trends by ServiceNow expert. Read exclusive interviews with industry experts like MVP - a Convergint Company,
Christopher David Founder & Managing Editor
how they are driving AI Innovation across Saudi Arabia, Toshiba Gulf – How they are shaping the surveillance storage industry and helping enterprises scale with the data center needs and HP – how AI will drive the future of work.
Additionally, we cover tech features from global players like Cisco, Huawei Enterprise, Oracle, Seagate, HP, and more. You’ll also find enterprise updates from leading organizations like Aramex, Newgen, Yellow Door, Ericsson, and Dell Technologies.
As a young and dynamic media company, Techitup Middle East is dedicated to bridging the gap between the tech industry, enterprises, and key sectors. The Arabic version of our magazine is a significant step in this direction.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to bringing you the best in tech and business, and we promise to keep you informed and inspired.
Stay tuned to our platform www.techitupme.com and our social pages for Everything in Tech & Business.
Have an exciting 2025 & Remember to Techitup!
Nelson Nworie Manager Social Channels
General inquiries: info@techitupme.com
Editorial: chris@techitupme.com
Business & Media Relations: chris@techitupme.com
Christopher David Founder & Managing
Editor
Techitup ME- A David Media Company
Jignesh
Parmar Head Developer
PUBLISHER:
The David Media FZC LLC
Ajman Media City Free Zone
United Arab Emirates
CONTENT
SPECIAL FEATURE —
P–06 From Governance to Collaboration: AI Trends Defining 2025
COVER STORY —
P–08 Driving Innovation in KSA’s Surveillance Storage Industry
TECH FEATURE
P–16 Cisco Releases KSA AI Readiness Index
P–18 OIC-CERT, Huawei Release Software Supply Chain Security Framework
INTERVIEW —
P–12 Building Smarter, Safer and More Sustainable Solutions in the Kingdom
P–14 AI Will be Integrated into Nearly Every Device in 2025
P–22 Teachers Will Lead the Future of Work: Equipping Minds for the Age of AI
ENTERPRISE
P–24 Aramex Unveils Advanced Robotic Sorting Facility in KSA
P–26 Yellow Door Boosts Sustainability with 27 Solar Projects in 2024
P–28 Dell Technologies, Aramco and National IT Academy
ValueMentor Appoints Reghu Mohandas as SVP & Chief Business Officer
ValueMentor, is pleased to announce the appointment of Reghu Mohandas as Sr. Vice President & Chief Business Officer. Based in Dubai, UAE, Reghu Mohandas will play a pivotal role in driving ValueMentor’s global growth strategy, strengthening client relationships, and enhancing the company’s leadership in cybersecurity across key markets.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP TO PROPEL GLOBAL GROWTH
With a distinguished career in cybersecurity and technology consulting, Reghu brings a wealth of expertise and strategic vision to ValueMentor. Known for his leadership in driving business growth and fostering innovation, he has been instrumental in building strong customer relationships and delivering technology solutions across diverse industries.
In his new role, Reghu will focus on expanding ValueMentor’s market presence, enhancing customer value, and driving growth initiatives. Reghu will play an instrumental role in the development of EnCyb, a newly established entity dedicated to offering Cloud & Cyber Engineering & Managed Services Globally.
Reghu’s appointment marks a significant step for ValueMentor as it strengthens its leadership team to address the evolving needs of the cybersecurity landscape. With his extensive experience and commitment to digital transformation, he is poised to lead the company into its next phase of growth and innovation.
ABOUT REGHU MOHANDAS
Reghu Mohandas is a seasoned technology leader with a distinguished career in cybersecurity, digital transformation, and business development. Known for his strategic vision and ability to drive growth, he has consistently delivered innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of businesses in an increasingly
Reghu Mohandas Sr. Vice President & Chief Business Officer, ValueMentor
digital world. Reghu has over two decades of experience across the META Region in Cybersecurity & Cloud Services. He has built and led services organisations focused on delivering value to their customers.
“I am thrilled and honoured to be part of ValueMentor, an organisation that truly delights its customers. Having seen the rise of ValueMentor in the region, its indeed an honour to be a part of its growth story. We will continue delivering on the excellent work done by the team by enhancing our services and portfolio. I am excited by the potential that EnCyb will bring to our customers with our innovate solutions and services that incorporate AI/ML in our offerings.”
From Governance to Collaboration: AI Trends Defining 2025
By: Cathy Mauzaize, President, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at ServiceNow
ICathy Mauzaize President, Europe, Middle East and Africa, ServiceNow
t’s been fascinating to see the shift of how business leaders across the C-Suite grapple with the impact of Generative AI over the last two years. All agree that this is a game-changer. However, the approaches and pace have been different, depending on who you speak to — department, industry, or even country. When I think about
the conversations I’ve had with leaders across Europe, Middle East and Africa, a few trends are starting to emerge, which I see impacting the next year in AI. If 2023 was about learning and 2024 was about rapid experimentation, then 2025 is certainly the year of value realisation. Here are three trends that I believe will impact how
businesses can realise the value of Generative AI in the coming year.
AI IS THE DATA, AND DATA MAKES THE AI
As more companies experiment with generative AI, many find their projects fail due to unclean or inaccurate data. This is the constant challenge: without good quality data, AI projects cannot succeed. Proof of concepts often fall short because they aren't based on real data and lack the time needed for proper training of the AI. The best planned AI initiatives are shifting from proof-of-concept to proof-of-value, focusing on solving real problems — and these are set to become more than just buzzwords in 2025. Instead of merely demonstrating feasibility, projects should start with a concrete challenge and use real data to address it.
Another key to AI success, that we will see become more prevalent, is transparency around how data is being used and the value it provides to its owners. However, success isn’t just about having data, it’s about having clean and complete data — that is governed in a secure and compliant fashion. AI search technology can assist by seamlessly integrating data from various sources of both structured and unstructured data, such as Workday, Qualtrics or even Microsoft Excel,
and connecting it quickly for more effective AI outcomes. To truly get value from AI, organisations need to bring together three things: the availability of clean, complete data; transparency around how that data is governed and used; and the right philosophy to get value from the work.
SECURITY, RISK AND GOVERNANCE BREAK INTO THE CEO AGENDA
There was a time during the rise of BYOD and rapid digital transformation when IT teams were primarily concerned with the impact of ‘shadow IT’ — an unregulated growth in the use of apps and devices outside traditional business controls. This led to fragmented systems, compliance risks, and inefficiencies that required large investments of time and resource to address. As AI transitions from hype to its own ‘iPhone moment’ in mainstream business, the lessons from that not-so-distant era serve as a cautionary tale.
The deployment of AI introduces both operational risks and broader strategic, reputational, and ethical concerns. Missteps in AI governance — such as algorithmic bias, misuse of data, or poorly defined accountability — can lead to significant regulatory penalties and erode trust with customers, partners, and employees. Amazon’s experiment in AI recruiting which revealed gender bias in the tool’s selection process is just one early example. The complexity and scale of these risks mean they are no longer confined to the CIO’s domain but require direct attention from the CEO and the broader C-suite. This shift is not just about
managing risks. C-suite engagement can ensure AI delivers its promised value. Effective governance can provide a competitive edge by ensuring responsible innovation, safeguarding brand reputation, and enabling transparency. CEOs must lead the charge in embedding AI ethics and governance into their organisation’s culture, setting the tone for accountability and aligning AI initiatives and use cases with broader business strategy.
In this phase of accelerated AI adoption, the CEO’s involvement in governance is not optional — it’s a business imperative. The companies that recognise this will not only mitigate risks but also position themselves to unlock AI’s full potential responsibly.
EMBRACING HUMAN-AI COLLABORATION
We are on the verge of a major cultural shift in how AI will impact the way we work. Widespread adoption of this technology doesn’t mean that every single person will
have to code or know the language of AI to keep pace. Instead, we’ll see a shift to people developing the skills to be AI capable and embrace AI augmentation effectively. Rather than technical STEM expertise — although those skills remain important — the focus will be on finding the right approach to human and AI collaboration. Ensuring a balance of both intelligences to enable people and technology to seamlessly work in sync.
This means that the workforce will need to learn how to work alongside a series of intelligent assistants in the months and years to come, becoming familiar with how to use tools like Copilot to drive speed, efficiency and quality. Although this is not an AI skill as we know it today, leveraging AI to augment your daily life whilst layering your unique expertise on top — will set candidates and employees apart from the pack. That’s where the future of work is headed, and we will see this start to play out more generally in the world of work in 2025.
CEOs must lead the charge in embedding AI ethics and governance into their organisation’s culture, setting the tone for accountability and aligning AI initiatives, use cases with broader business strategy."
The leaders of tomorrow will seek an understanding of AI augmentation, alongside essential soft skills such as leadership, organisational skills, and creative thinking, from their talent. This isn’t in one industry or department. I can see every role evolving through this lens, with AI serving as a powerful assistant, rather than a competitor. It’s time to recognise this shift too — AI is here to support and enable workers, not threaten or limit their roles. The analytical thinking from the left-brain will work in tandem with AI augmentation, and that powerful combination will define the future of work.
Driving Innovation in KSA’s Surveillance Storage Industry
In conversation with Santosh Varghese, Vice President at Toshiba Gulf FZE as he discusses how they are driving surveillance storage industry in Saudi Arabia and industry trends.
Santosh Varghese Vice President, Toshiba Gulf FZE
Can you please share your outlook on the enterprise storage industry in 2024? What major trends have shaped the industry so far?
The enterprise storage industry has undergone a complete transformation, especially since 2020. We've witnessed the rise of a data-driven society starting in 2021, as people emerged from the pandemic with a new way of working and engaging. Prior to 2020, cloud adoption was minimal, but once people were forced to work and learn from home, cloud adoption grew rapidly. Similarly, video streaming took off, and there is no longer a need for physical storage like CDs or USBs. Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime dominate the video content space.
In healthcare, telemedicine has gained traction, allowing people to consult doctors remotely rather than physically visiting them. There has been a paradigm shift in how people approach technology. In 2021, we saw the rise of cloud computing and video streaming. By 2022, many countries began implementing 5G, which accelerated the growth of IoT devices. With the 5G revolution, almost everything is now connected. Fast-forward to 2024, and AI is the dominant trend. Last week, for instance, we saw a significant announcement from China with DeepSeek, but before that, major companies like NVIDIA, Meta, Google, and Microsoft were all pushing the AI agenda. Even businesses in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are diving into AI. As much of this data is sensitive, many organizations are seeking in-house AI solutions to ensure data privacy, which requires massive storage capacities for training AI models. This is where Toshiba’s enterprise hardware comes into play.
When I joined Toshiba in 2002, we were discussing storage capacities in the range of 20 GB. Today, in 2024, we’re talking about 20TB, 24TB, and last year, Toshiba unveiled a roadmap for 30TB drives. Research shows that by 2026, 186 zettabytes of data will be generated. This data is used not just for legal compliance, but also for analysis that drives better decision-making. With AI, businesses need vast amounts of data to store, and Toshiba’s storage capacity has evolved accordingly. If we continue on this path, in 20 years, we could be looking at 20 petabytes of data on a single disk, and in 40 years, perhaps even 20 exabytes. That’s the direction in which data storage is heading.
However, along with this growth, there are challenges such as cybersecurity. When DeepSeek was announced, it was immediately targeted by cyber-attacks, resulting in compromised data. While Toshiba is focused on data storage, we also provide solutions to mitigate such risks. For example, personal storage devices from Toshiba can protect critical data in case of cyber-attacks, as we’ve seen with some clients. We also offer surveillance storage, network-attached storage, and enterprise solutions. SSDs are driving the storage revolution in hyper-scalers like Meta, Google, and AWS, offering fast access to frequently used data. Meanwhile, less frequently accessed data can be stored on traditional hard drives.
With Cloud and AI driving the physical security industry, how is Toshiba enabling its enterprise customers in this space?
With the exponential growth of data, Toshiba has introduced a unique concept called BYODC—Build Your Own Data Center. Building a data center from scratch can be costly if businesses rely solely on pre-made solutions. I won't name specific vendors, but many use Toshiba hard drives in their storage box. The BYODC model allows businesses to build scalable data centers by sourcing components through system integrators while we supply the hard drives.
The BYODC model is flexible. Businesses can start small with a few terabytes of storage and later scale up to petabytes or even exabytes, depending on their needs. With the surge in data generation and its analysis for decision-making, having a data center is crucial for every business—whether SMBs or large corporations. The BYODC solution is an ideal way for businesses to store and manage their data. What opportunities do you see in Saudi Arabia for enterprise storage, and how is Toshiba enabling customers in the region?
Saudi Arabia, with its Vision 2030, is making significant strides in technological adoption, especially in data centers. Major hyperscalers like Huawei, Google, and Microsoft are building large data centers in the country. Many businesses, particularly large banks and mediumsized companies, are realizing the importance of having their own data centers to keep data local rather than relying on cloud storage outside the country.
AI implementation in Saudi Arabia is advancing rapidly, and the country is ahead of other Middle Eastern nations in terms of technological development. Toshiba is fully focused on Saudi Arabia, and we’ve rolled out our BYODC initiatives with local distributors, value-added distributors, and system integrators. We’ve conducted multiple training sessions for businesses and channel partners to ensure we’re well-equipped to meet the growing demand for data storage solutions.
Saudi Arabia is a key market for us. Toshiba holds a 50% market share in surveillance storage, and many major banks use Toshiba surveillance hard drives for ATM cameras and other surveillance needs. Our drives are particularly well-suited for high-definition video storage, which is required for modern surveillance systems. This is why Toshiba has such a strong presence in the Saudi market. From our PC days to now, our products are highly regarded for their quality, reliability, and technology.
What advancements in surveillance storage technologies do you foresee addressing the growing concerns around data security and privacy?
Toshiba specializes in providing the storage media for data, while the broader ecosystem for data protection comes from security vendors. However, looking ahead, I expect that most surveillance storage solutions will be AI-driven, with our hard drives supporting these advanced technologies.
A few years ago, businesses used regular PC hard drives for surveillance data storage, but this was risky due to reliability issues. Today, our S300 and S300 Pro drives are specifically designed for 24/7 surveillance applications and can withstand temperatures of over 70°C, making them ideal for the harsh conditions in the Middle East. These drives also have large buffer capacities, as modern surveillance cameras are highdefinition and require more storage. Toshiba offers capacities ranging from 2 terabytes to 12 terabytes for surveillance, and for those needing larger capacities, enterprise drives can be used.
In some cases, governments require data to be stored for extended periods, such as six to eight months, and Toshiba can meet this demand with drives ranging
from 2 terabytes to 12 terabytes. For even larger storage requirements, enterprise solutions are available.
As data continues to grow exponentially, Toshiba’s product range will offer ever-larger capacities using technologies like MAMR (Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording), which enables higher data density. We are also the first vendor to implement helium-sealed hard drives, which reduces heat dissipation and power consumption, lowering the total cost of ownership for our customers.
Toshiba holds a 50% market share in surveillance storage, and many major banks use Toshiba surveillance hard drives for ATM cameras and other surveillance needs. Our drives are particularly well-suited for highdefinition video storage, which is required for modern surveillance systems. This is why Toshiba has such a strong presence in the Saudi
market. From our PC days to now, our products are highly regarded for their quality, reliability, and technology.”
The Convergence of AI and Systems Integration: Building Smarter, Safer and More Sustainable Solutions in the Kingdom
Saudi Arabia's digital transformation is reshaping its infrastructure projects, making seamless technology integration essential. Saif Al Shahrani, Country Director at Convergint KSA, a global player in service-based systems integration, highlights the vital role advanced technologies play in supporting the Kingdom's ambitious growth and Vision 2030 initiatives.
Saif Al Shahrani Country Director, Convergint KSA
How is Convergint leveraging artificial intelligence to drive innovation across the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia?
AI is transforming how organizations approach security, infrastructure, and operations. At Convergint MEA, we integrate AI-powered solutions to enhance safety, optimize workflows, and deliver real-time intelligence, empowering our customers to make informed decisions. Saudi Arabia, with its ambitious Vision 2030, is a key market for AI adoption. We are actively deploying AIdriven surveillance, smart access control, and predictive analytics to support organizations in achieving operational excellence.
Additionally, we enhance customer experience by providing real-time analytics that enables data-driven decision-making. Our solutions monitor crowd sizes, track foot traffic, and deliver real-time alerts for security or operational anomalies. These AI-powered systems include features such as facial recognition for smart access control, predictive maintenance algorithms to monitor equipment health, automated video analytics to detect and respond to potential security threats, and smart building systems that optimize energy usage and environmental conditions.
By integrating these advanced technologies, we not only enhance security and operational efficiency but also deliver actionable insights that drive better decisionmaking for our customers across the region.
What are the biggest challenges businesses are facing while integrating AI technologies into existing systems, and how is Convergint enabling such organizations? One of the greatest challenges businesses face
when integrating AI into existing systems is ensuring interoperability. Many organizations operate with legacy systems that were not designed for AI integration. Through our engineering expertise, we deliver endto-end design, integration, and implementation services, enabling seamless integration with existing infrastructure while minimizing disruptions. Our approach emphasizes scalable AI solutions that allow businesses to adopt emerging technologies without the need for a complete infrastructure overhaul. Furthermore, ongoing system support and maintenance are crucial for sustaining long-term AI efficiency. With our 24/7 engineering support services, we ensure peak system performance by utilizing AI-driven analytics for real-time reporting and a proactive, preventive maintenance strategy. This helps businesses optimize performance, reduce downtime, and maximize the return on their AI investments.
Can you highlight some of the key AI-driven solutions that Convergint has implemented for its customers in Saudi?
Convergint MEA has successfully implemented several AI-powered solutions across various industries in the Middle East and Africa region. Our AI-driven video analytics enhance situational awareness for critical infrastructure, identifying threats in real time. In retail and commercial spaces, AI-powered facial recognition and behavioral analytics improve security and customer experiences. Moreover, our smart traffic management systems help optimize urban mobility, reducing congestion and enhancing safety in rapidly growing cities. As a systems integrator, we deploy solutions layered with AI capabilities to ensure real-time action and alerts, enabling organizations to respond proactively to security threats, operational inefficiencies, and urban challenges.
Saudi Arabia has been making strides towards smart cities, how are you contributing to this vision? Since Convergint’s strategic expansion in the Kingdom, we are on track to becoming a key partner in achieving Vision 2030, equipping industries with the right technologies to meet their evolving needs. In alignment with Saudi Arabia’s vision for smart cities, Convergint MEA delivers AI-driven digital transformation initiatives that enhance metropolitan infrastructure, smart transportation, and urban management.
Our solutions include intelligent surveillance, automated building management, and IoT-enabled citywide connectivity. These innovations empower municipalities to manage resources more efficiently, enhance public safety, and create sustainable, technology-driven urban environments that support Vision 2030’s long-term development goals.
Sustainability is a major focus in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, how is Convergint supporting these initiatives?
Sustainability is a key pillar of Vision 2030, and Convergint MEA is committed to supporting green initiatives through environmental initiatives and even with our project delivery. our AI-powered predictive maintenance solutions extend the lifespan of infrastructure, reducing waste and supporting a circular economy. Beyond our projects, sustainability is ingrained in our daily operations and company culture. With our Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) team, we actively promote sustainable practices within our teams. In the UAE, we have earned a footprint assessment certificate, demonstrating our commitment to minimizing our environmental impact. We also engage in community-driven initiatives, such as tree planting and supporting communities in need. We believe in the power of collective impact—our colleagues, customers, and engineers all play a role in advancing sustainability. By integrating these principles into both our operations and client projects, we drive meaningful progress toward a greener future in Saudi Arabia and beyond.
With the large scale of projects and technology infrastructure required in Saudi Arabia, what are the best practices for maintaining the longevity of these systems, ensuring sustainable solutions and longterm effectiveness?
Regular preventive maintenance, including system checks, software updates, and hardware servicing, is crucial for long-term reliability. AI-powered monitoring tools help detect issues early, while our team of 300+ experts in the region ensures seamless solution design, deployment, and service. This approach reduces costs, enhances efficiency, and improves system resilience. By designing systems to withstand local environmental conditions and implementing redundancy measures, we guarantee operational continuity for our customers.
AI Will be Integrated into Nearly Every Device in 2025
Ertug Ayik Managing Director, HP Middle East and Africa
Can you share your top five tech predictions for 2025? What do you think is going to shape the dynamics of the industry in 2025?
Certainly! Here are my top five predictions:
1. AI Will Be Embedded in Every Device:
In 2025, AI will be integrated into nearly every device, from wearables and refrigerators to cameras and even glasses. Today, AI is mostly cloud-based, but in the future, we’ll see it directly embedded into everyday products, making devices smarter and more intuitive. For example, AI-enabled glasses can now translate languages in real time, and this is just the beginning.
2. Efficiency and Flexibility:
There will be a massive focus on efficiency and flexibility. AI will help offload mundane operational tasks, allowing people to focus more on creative and strategic work.
Expect a notable shift in how businesses and individuals approach productivity—AI will significantly improve operational efficiency in the tech industry.
3. Cybersecurity Will Be a Priority:
With AI giving “superpowers” to everyone, including cybercriminals, the need for robust cybersecurity will intensify. Both companies and individuals will seek new ways to secure their data and protect privacy, especially as AI itself is used to enhance security protocols.
4. Flexibility in the Future of Work:
After the pandemic, flexibility has become a key priority for employees. In 2025, hybrid work solutions will continue to rise, allowing people to work from anywhere—be it from home, a coffee shop, or while traveling—while ensuring they have access to the same tools, security protocols, and experiences as they would in the office.
5. Sustainability:
Sustainability will remain a critical focus for businesses and employees alike. People want to work for organizations with a clear sense of purpose, and sustainability is increasingly becoming that purpose. More organizations will prioritize green initiatives, from the design of devices to the way products are manufactured and used.
AI is being heavily invested in across various industries, especially in tech. How is AI shaping HP’s vision for the future of work?
Great question! As we think about the future of work, we recognize that people’s needs and expectations are evolving. According to our Work Relationship Index survey, only 30% of employees report having a healthy relationship with their work, which is alarmingly low. People—especially millennials—are increasingly seeking purpose in their work, flexibility, and the ability to balance their personal lives with their careers. In fact, many are willing to accept a smaller salary for more flexibility.
However, companies are looking for higher productivity and efficiency from their employees. This is where HP comes in. We believe that AI can bridge the gap between what employees need and what businesses require. Employees who are already using AI in their roles report 10 to 15% higher satisfaction, as it helps streamline their tasks and make their jobs easier.
HP’s approach is to bring AI directly to the device, rather than relying solely on the cloud. For example, our new products in computing, printing, and collaboration all feature on-device AI capabilities. This is important for three reasons:
1. Speed: Running AI on the device means faster results. For instance, real-time language translation or immediate responses from AI models can happen seamlessly, without the delay of sending data to the cloud and waiting for a response.
2. Cost Efficiency: AI processing in the cloud can be costly, especially when considering the energy consumption of running large queries. On-device AI reduces these costs since you don’t need to rely on external servers for computation.
3. Data Privacy: Many businesses are concerned about sharing sensitive information with cloud-based AI tools. By processing data on the device, businesses can protect their data and ensure that it doesn’t leave their premises, which is crucial for confidentiality.
This approach brings both efficiency and security, helping businesses integrate AI into their workflows without compromising speed or privacy.
With hybrid work becoming the norm, how is HP enabling businesses across the Middle East and Africa?
Hybrid work is an exciting evolution, especially in the Middle East and Africa, where traffic congestion and crowded cities like Istanbul, Cairo, Lagos, and Nairobi make commuting a challenge. HP sees hybrid work as more than just "work from home." It’s about providing people with the tools to work from anywhere while maintaining the same productivity and security as they would in an office.
We want to ensure that employees have a seamless experience, whether they’re working from home, a café, or on the go. Our devices are designed to keep data secure no matter where you are. For example, HP laptops include privacy screens, ensuring your confidential information remains safe from prying eyes, even in public spaces.
Additionally, our AI-powered technologies, like noise cancellation in Zoom calls, enhance the experience of working remotely, making it feel like you’re in a quiet office environment—even if you're on a noisy train or in a busy café.
Our goal is to give organizations and individuals the technology they need to work flexibly and securely, wherever they are.
You mentioned HP’s sustainability efforts. Could you expand on your approach to sustainability?
Sustainability is a core value at HP, and we have committed to being the world’s most sustainable tech company by 2030. For us, sustainability is not just about reducing emissions or waste—it also includes promoting digital equity and protecting human rights.
HP has made significant strides toward this goal. Nearly all of our devices contain recycled materials, and we are continuously working to increase the percentage of recycled content in our products. We also focus on energy efficiency in our devices, and AI is playing a key role in this. For example, by using specialized AI chips designed for energy efficiency, we can reduce power consumption without sacrificing performance. This is especially important as AI becomes more integrated into everyday devices.
In summary, HP is committed to energy efficiency, sustainable practices, and ensuring digital access for developing regions across the Middle East and Africa.
What advice would you give to businesses across the Middle East and Africa when it comes to integrating emerging technologies into their workflow and culture?
Our advice to businesses is simple: Don’t focus solely on technical specifications—focus on the needs of your teams. What does your IT manager need? How can AI help your sales representatives or product managers?
At HP, we’ve created use cases for various personas to demonstrate how AI and technology can help people do their jobs better and more efficiently. The key to adopting emerging technologies is understanding how they can improve specific roles and tasks, rather than just seeking faster, cheaper hardware. By approaching technology adoption with a focus on people and their needs, businesses can seamlessly integrate AI and other innovations into their workflows and culture.
Cisco Releases KSA AI Readiness Index
Ahead of LEAP 2025 conference in Riyadh, Cisco announced findings from its latest AI Readiness Index, that reveals that 72% of organizations in KSA have a strategy to deploy AI powered solutions in their organisation. The report highlights that despite increasing urgency in deployment and investment, businesses in KSA face challenges in adopting, deploying, and fully leveraging AI, amid the rapid market evolution and the significant impact AI is anticipated to have on business operations.
The Index is based on a double-blind survey of 7,985 senior business leaders from organizations with 500 or more employees across 30 markets, including KSA. These leaders are responsible for AI integration and deployment within their organizations. The AI readiness index is measured across six pillars: strategy,
Salman Abdulghani Faqeeh Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabiai
infrastructure, data, governance, talent, and culture.
KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:
• Acting with Urgency
AI has become a cornerstone for business strategy, and there is an increasing urgency among companies to adopt and deploy AI technologies. In KSA, nearly all (98%) report an increased urgency to deploy AI in the past year, primarily driven by the CEO and leadership team. Nearly all (86%) companies say they only have 18 months to start demonstrating the impact of AI. More than half (60%) give it only 12 months.
• Rising Investment:
Over the past year, AI has been a priority spend for organizations in Saudi Arabia, with 50% allocating 10-
30% of their IT budgets to AI projects. AI investments have focused on three strategic areas: IT infrastructure (51%), cybersecurity (40%), and data management (38%). The top three outcomes they aim to achieve include improving the efficiency of systems, processes, operations, and profitability; the ability to innovate and remain competitive; and creating a better experience for customers and partners.
Notably, 45% of organizations plan to allocate more than 40% of their IT budget to AI investments in the next four to five years, a significant increase from 8% of companies who said they are allocating a similar portion of their IT budget to AI currently. Additionally, 50% indicating that between 10% to 30% of their IT budget is allocated to AI deployments. However, 40% of respondents report that the gains from their AI investments have not yet met expectations in augmenting, assisting, or automating current processes and operations.
• Infrastructure Preparedness: Networks are yet to be equipped to meet AI workloads.
There are gaps in compute, data centre network performance, and cybersecurity, amongst other areas. Only 31% of organizations have the necessary GPUs to meet current and future AI demands and nearly a third (34%) have the capabilities to protect data in AI models with end–to–end encryption, security audits, continuous monitoring, and instant threat response.
In Saudi Arabia, 62% rated improving scalability, flexibility, and manageability of their IT infrastructure as their top priorities, showing they are aware of the gaps that need to be addressed.
• Addressing Skills and Talent Gaps:
A lack of skilled talent is a top challenge for companies in Saudi Arabia, underscoring the critical need for skilled professionals to drive AI initiatives. Only 46% of KSA organizations claim their talent is at a high state of readiness to fully leverage AI, and 39% say their organizations lack in-house talent necessary for successful AI deployment.
Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of embracing AI as a catalyst for digital transformation. The findings of Cisco's recent AI Readiness Index highlight the significant strides organizations in the Kingdom are making, with clearly defined strategies and increasing investments in AI. At Cisco, we are committed to empowering organizations with cutting-edge technologies and expertise to realize the full potential of AI."
Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabia commented: “Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of embracing AI as a catalyst for digital transformation. The findings of Cisco's recent AI Readiness Index highlight the significant strides organizations in the Kingdom are making, with clearly defined strategies and increasing investments in AI. At Cisco, we are committed to empowering organizations with cutting-edge technologies and expertise to realize the full potential of AI.” He added: “Our participation at LEAP 2025 under the theme ‘Cisco Connects and Protects the AI Era', underscores our dedication to promoting innovation and collaboration in the country, in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.”
This year, Cisco’s participation at LEAP 2025 centres around connecting and protecting businesses in the AI Era. Visitors will have the opportunity to engage with subject matter experts at Cisco’s booth and explore innovative solutions designed to transform data centres to power AI workloads, modernize workplaces for seamless collaboration, and enhance digital resilience with advanced security and observability. Cisco will host interactive demonstrations, panel discussions, and strategic briefings with key stakeholders, showcasing real-world use cases and the latest technology innovations. Join us at Stand H1.F30 in Big Tech Hall for an in-depth look at how we enable organizations to thrive in the AI era.
OIC-CERT, Huawei Release Software Supply Chain Security Framework
Huawei, in collaboration with the Organization of the Islamic CooperationComputer Emergency Response Team (OIC-CERT) and the Oman National CERT, today announced the release of the OIC-CERT Software Supply Chain Security Framework. This framework provides crucial guidance to OIC member states on establishing robust software supply chain security management, ensuring end-to-end cybersecurity. This comes at a critical time when cybersecurity is a top priority for businesses in the region, with 55% of companies in the Middle East prioritizing mitigating digital and technology risks over the next year, exceeding the global average of 53%, according to a report by PwC. Within this, cyber risks remain a significant concern, with 42% of regional businesses focusing on them.
Developed by the OIC-CERT Supply Chain Security working group, co-chaired by the Oman National CERT and Huawei, the framework addresses the growing complexity and interconnectedness of software systems and the increasing risks of supply chain attacks. It offers
practical guidance for regulatory authorities in member countries to formulate effective policies for software supply chain manufacturers and service providers.
The framework provides a comprehensive approach to software supply chain security governance, covering key areas such as supplier cybersecurity management, open-source software management, R&D and production management. It guides organizations in implementing security measures throughout the entire software lifecycle, from evaluating and selecting suppliers to securing the development and deployment processes. It also emphasizes the importance of managing open-source software components and integrating security practices into research, development, and production environments. This holistic approach aims to mitigate risks throughout the software supply chain.
Aloysius Cheang, Chief Security Officer for Huawei in the Middle East and Central Asia, said: “Huawei is committed to collaborating with global partners to enhance
cybersecurity for all. This framework represents a significant step forward in strengthening software supply chain security across the OIC member states. We believe that by working together and sharing best practices, we can create a more secure and trustworthy digital environment for everyone.”
Dr. Saleh Said Al Hashmi at Oman National CERT, highlighted the significance of this framework and the value of collaboration, stating: “In today's interconnected world, software supply chain security is paramount. This framework provides a crucial foundation for OIC member states to build resilient digital economies. Our collaboration with Huawei leverages their expertise and industry insights to develop comprehensive guidelines that address the evolving threat landscape. By adopting these recommendations, nations can effectively mitigate risks and protect critical infrastructure. We believe this joint effort will significantly enhance cybersecurity across the OIC community.”
The framework's release comes at a pivotal moment, as software supply chain attacks continue to evolve and pose significant threats to organizations and nations. By prioritizing supply chain cybersecurity, OIC member states can protect their digital assets, foster trust, and enhance resilience in an increasingly interconnected world.
Oracle to Train 350,000 People in AI, Advanced Digital Technologies
Major skills development initiative aims to significantly increase the number of certified Oracle professionals to support customers leading to the rapid adoption of
Oracle plans to train and certify 350,000 people across key countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Morocco, and Jordan, in the most in-demand technologies to help meet the strong demand for Oracle Cloud in the Middle East.
As part of this skills development initiative, Oracle will offer learning programs on several technologies including Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Oracle AI services, OCI Generative AI, Low Code, Oracle APEX, DevOps, Cloud Data Management, and Security & Cloud Applications Business Process.
“Oracle is driving one of the fastest cloud expansions in the Middle East to help our customers innovate and explore new growth avenues with Oracle’s full suite of 150+ AI and cloud services across dedicated, public, and hybrid cloud environments,” said Gary
Miller, executive vice president, Customer Success Services, Oracle.
“This strong demand for Oracle Cloud is creating exciting new job opportunities for IT professionals that can help our customers implement advanced digital technologies and succeed. Oracle’s latest skills development initiative in the Middle East will help create a
readily available local pool of Oracle certified professionals that will play a key role in the success of the Middle East’s AI economy, which is expected to reach $320 billion by 2030.”
The program will be delivered as a digital learning experience through Oracle MyLearn, Oracle’s comprehensive training and enablement platform from Oracle University."
Oracle will deliver this multi-year initiative in collaboration with key local public sector partners. The program will be delivered as a digital learning experience through Oracle MyLearn, Oracle’s comprehensive training and enablement platform from Oracle University, which is used by millions of technology trainees around the world. The program will offer rigorous foundational training in cloud technologies that will then channel students to professional-level training and certifications—including in areas such as DevOps, AI, applications business processes, machine learning, and data science—as well as additional training curated individually based on learning levels and educational goals.
Oracle Cloud
Seagate Introduces Hard Drive Capacities of Up to
36TB,
Extending Its HAMR-Based Mozaic 3+ Technology Platform
Seagate Technology, an innovator of mass capacity data storage, announced shipments of Exos M hard drive samples to select customers in industry-leading capacities up to 36 terabytes (TB). Based on Mozaic 3+, the company’s breakthrough heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) technology platform, Exos M delivers unprecedented storage scale for large-scale data center deployments.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Adopted by Cloud Service Providers: Seagate is currently ramping Exos M to volume shipments on capacity points up to 32TB with a leading cloud service provider. Separately, Seagate is also sampling drives on the Exos M platform of up to 36TB.
• Mozaic 3+ and HAMR Innovation: Based on Seagate’s Mozaic 3+ technology platform, the industry’s first implementation of heatassisted magnetic recording (HAMR), Exos M offers data center operators significant scale, total cost of ownership (TCO), and sustainability advantages, including 300% more storage capacity within the same data center footprint, a 25% cost reduction per terabyte and 60% reduction
in power consumption per terabyte.1
• Unrivalled Areal Density: Exos M, powered by HAMR-based Mozaic3 + platform, now delivers capacity points up to 36TB through a highly efficient 10-platter product design. Seagate is the only data storage company that can achieve areal densities of 3.6TB per hard drive platter today, with a pathway to increasing perplatter capacity to 10TB.
“As customers build out their AI factories, they need cost-efficient, scalable and flexible storage engineered to reliably handle the most demanding AI workloads,” said Travis Vigil, SVP, ISG Product Management. “Dell PowerScale with Seagate’s HAMR-enabled Mozaic 3+ technology plays a crucial role in supporting AI use cases like retrieval augmented generation (RAG), inferencing and agentic workflows. Together, Dell Technologies and Seagate are setting the standard for industry-leading AI storage innovation.”
“We’re in the midst of a seismic shift in the way data is stored and managed,” said Dave Mosley, Seagate CEO. “Unprecedented levels of data creation – due to continued cloud expansion and early AI adoption – demand long-term data retention and access to ensure trustworthy data-driven outcomes. From capturing training checkpoints
to archiving source-data sets, the more data organizations retain, the more they can validate that their applications are acting as they expect them to – and adjust course as needed.”
"Seagate continues to lead in areal density, sampling drives on the Exos M platform of up to 36TB today. Also, we’re executing on our innovation roadmap, having now successfully demonstrated capacities of over 6TB per disk within our test lab environments."
“As the global producer of exabytes, and a manufacturer capable of manufacturing 3.6TB per platter hard drives at scale, Seagate is laser-focused on delivering the storage scale required for the applications of the future,” Mosley added.
Unified security, unlimited possibilities.
Securing your organization requires more than video surveillance. To be successful, you need access control, intercom, analytics, and other systems too. This is why our Security Center platform excels. It delivers a cohesive operating picture through modules that were built as one system. So, whether you’re securing an airport, a parking structure, a multi-site enterprise, public transit, or an entire city, you can access all the information you need in one place.
Teachers Will Lead the Future of Work: Equipping Minds for the Age of AI
Teachers are the backbone of our future. Yet, the journey of being a teacher is fraught with challenges. From underfunding to overwhelming workloads, and the feeling that their hard work often goes unrecognized, teachers face numerous hurdles. Now, with the rise of AI, there's a new challenge on the horizon, raising concerns about the future of education.
Despite these obstacles, growth is impossible without educators. Whether they teach through online courses, videos, at home, or in the classroom, teachers are essential for students to acquire the digital skills needed to succeed. This is especially true for historically disconnected youth and adults who are upskilling or reskilling.
AI is creating new job opportunities and changing the future of work. It also has the potential to democratize education, narrow the digital skills gap, and make high-quality learning accessible to all, regardless of location or socioeconomic status. However, while AI can transform and support education, it can’t substitute for human interaction.
“At HP, we believe that AI can never replace teachers,” said Michele Malejki, HP Global Head of Social Impact and Director, HP Foundation. “Teaching is a deeply human activity, rooted in empathy, inspiration, and the unique connection between educator and student. Instead of viewing AI as a threat, we see it as a tool that can empower teachers to better equip youth for tomorrow’s workforce.”
Expanding digital skills-building is crucial to strengthening the global economy and workforce which is why HP is committed to accelerating digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. AI can better support these education efforts, but only if accompanied by digital literacy to effectively use it. According to OECD, 20% of secondary teachers feel undertrained in digital education tools, including AI, despite 60% receiving training the previous year. Now is the time to invest in upskilling our teachers.
Malejki HP Global Head of Social Impact and Director, HP Foundation
HP BELIEVES AI CAN HELP CLOSE THE DIGITAL SKILLS GAP
Data from HP and Oxford Economics shows that 76% of leaders believe technology helps traditionally excluded populations join the economy. While many new technologies are adopted first in our personal lives, AI adoption will likely first happen in the workplace. As AI becomes more common in workplaces, access to digital tools and education will be crucial.
Reskilling educators with AI and digital skills is essential for preparing future generations. That’s why we created HP AI Teacher Academy to help educators understand and use generative AI in education.
Michele
Participants gain both conceptual knowledge and practical skills, from composing effective prompts to integrating AI into lesson planning and instructional materials. The program also emphasizes ethical and social considerations, ensuring responsible AI use in the classroom.
AI can adapt educational content to each student's needs, enabling personalized learning, from teachers adjusting the difficulty of a reading passage by simplifying vocabulary, to real-time translation and more. Teachers can then provide more individualized attention, helping students grow and become more fluent with digital skills. HP believes AI will help employees offload mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on meaningful work.
“We must do more about the global teacher retention crisis. The world faces a shortage of teachers with UNESCO estimating 44 million more are needed by 2030,” said Charles Radman, HP Global Head of Education. “We see AI as an ally for teachers, not a replacement. It can reduce teacher workload, handling repetitive administrative tasks and automations like skills assessment and grading so educators can spend more time focusing on students.”
With our experience in technology and education, HP is uniquely positioned to provide digital skill education to teachers and learners alike. Empowering teachers to effectively use AI enhances their efficiency and ensures students gain the AI knowledge and skills they need to thrive in future careers.
Investments in education have enormous potential: according to the World Bank, every dollar invested in an additional year of education can yield up to a 10% return. That’s why HP is building strategic partnerships to equip educators and learners with essential AI skills and technology. We're committed to providing the tools, support, and resources necessary to make this vision a reality.
If technology is the toolbox, AI is the power drill: it accelerates, simplifies, and opens new learning and teaching possibilities. With more technology integrated into classrooms and increasingly tech-savvy teachers becoming the norm, now is the time to accelerate the transformative potential of AI in digital skills.
To further teacher training, we support organizations like 1 Million Teachers (1MT) who are working to combat the global teacher shortage, especially the 15 million
more needed in sub-Saharan Africa alone. By supporting 1MT’s efforts to train teachers in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, we help empower teachers with important digital skills, including AI.
Addressing the security challenges of AI early and directly will also foster a safer learning environment. In our AI Teacher Academy, we equip educators with essential skills to understand and evaluate generative AI systems, emphasizing ethics like privacy protection, bias awareness, and responsible data handling. Combined with an understanding of how to detect threats and misinformation, teachers will need a sophisticated awareness of how to navigate AI, just like any new technology. Teachers are already identifying bad actors with AI-enabled devices with advanced security features, such as deepfake detection tools, as well as the industry-leading protection available in our advanced portfolio of AI PCs.
UPSKILLING LEARNERS TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF WORK
As AI transforms industries, everyone from executives to interns must learn new technologies to unlock value. In collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), HP LIFE launched "AI for Beginners," a course providing foundational AI knowledge. By leveraging expertise from HP and UNIDO, we aim to make AI education accessible globally, ensuring diverse participation in the AI-driven economy.
HP LIFE's courses, including this one, offer in-demand skills and core business concepts. With 1.6 million learners already benefiting, the program from the HP Foundation helps individuals innovate and adapt to evolving economic landscapes.
The future of work is being shaped today, with teachers at the forefront. As AI redefines required skills, educators and learners must adapt. We believe AI tools can empower teachers to unlock students' potential and close the digital skills gap.
HP is committed to delivering AI-driven solutions and promoting digital equity. By engaging teachers with advanced tools and providing students and entrepreneurs with AI skills, we foster innovation and economic growth. AI enhances education, allowing teachers to inspire students. With thoughtful AI integration, we can accelerate digital equity and help everyone thrive in a more inclusive global economy.
Aramex Unveils Advanced Robotic Sorting Facility in KSA
His Excellency Rayan Salah Al-Din Al-Bakri, Deputy Minister for Logistics Services at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, inaugurated the cutting-edge automated robotic system at Jeddah Islamic Port
Under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency
Rayan Salah Al-Din Al-Bakri, Deputy Minister for Logistics Services at Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services, Aramex— has launched its cutting-edge automated robotic system at Jeddah Islamic Port. This marks a significant milestone in the company's digital transformation journey.
The state-of-the-art facility showcases Aramex's commitment to technological innovation and operational excellence. The centerpiece of the facility is an advanced automated sorting system featuring three feeding lines integrated with 120 robotic guided vehicles, capable of processing 4,000 shipments per hour and 96,000 shipments daily.
Abdulaziz Alnowaiser, General Manager of Aramex, said: “This automated facility represents a quantum leap in logistics efficiency and demonstrates our commitment to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. By combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and temperaturecontrolled environments, we are creating a blueprint for the future of logistics in the region. With the automation system, our capacity to handle shipments will increase to 100%. Additionally, the plan for the activation and launch of drone
delivery by the end of February 2025 has been reviewed with one of our clients in the banking sector, and we are also advancing our future plans for domestic express mail sea transportation services. We look forward to continuing to enhance the Kingdom’s logistics infrastructure and adopting sustainable practices.”
Samer Marei, Vice President GCC, Aramex, said: “We remain deeply committed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as our primary market, where we continue to make strategic investments to lead the logistics sector. By continuously enhancing our services and strengthening our presence in the Kingdom, we hope to contribute to
Vision 2030's goals of establishing Saudi Arabia as a global logistics hub. Our sustained and ongoing investment reflects our confidence in the Kingdom's vibrant economy and the transformative vision of its leadership.”
In a parallel development that promises to be transformative for logistics in the region, Aramex unveiled plans for its first drone delivery project. This initiative will complement the automated facility, further cementing Aramex's position as a pioneer in smart logistics solutions. The drone delivery program aims to reduce carbon emissions while enhancing last-mile delivery efficiency in urban and remote areas.
KSA: AJIL Partners with Newgen to Digitalise Financing Operations
Newgen’s offerings are set to accelerate AJIL’s underwriting processes and operational journeys, and improve customer experience
Newgen Software, a global leader in AI-enabled digital transformation solutions, has announced a partnership with AJIL Financial Services Company (AJIL), a prominent financing company in Saudi Arabia. As AJIL’s digital transformation partner, Newgen will provide its flagship Low-Code Platform and Shariahcompliant financing solutions to streamline its offerings, including Murabaha, Ijarah, and other financing products to accelerate AJIL’s underwriting processes, operational journeys and to improve customers’ experience and satisfaction.
This collaboration aligns with AJIL’s commitment to Vision 2030 and its goal of scaling and modernising its operations to meet evolving market demands while delivering superior customer experience. AJIL is licensed by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and specialises in Shariah-compliant financing for SMEs across the Kingdom.
Matar Al-Khateeb, CEO, AJIL Financial Services Company, said: “With the strategic focus on leveraging advanced technologies like Newgen software and datadriven insights, we are committed to streamlining our operations and offering innovative solutions that resonate with the evolving needs of our customers. This transformative
Vivek Bhatnagar, SVP-EMEA Sales, Newgen Software, and Matar Al-Khateeb, CEO, AJIL Financial Services Company.
approach will not only enable us to fortify our market reach but also bolster our presence through integrations with fintech channels, thereby deepening our engagement with existing customers and expanding our footprint in new markets.
“We are committed to Vision 2030 and strongly believe in the role of SMEs in the Kingdom's development. We are looking forward to continuing to enable
SMEs to grow and contribute to the Kingdom’s economy's growth.”
Commenting on the partnership, Vivek Bhatnagar, SVP-EMEA Sales, Newgen Software, said: “Newgen's extensive expertise in deep process automation will modernise AJIL's operations, including loan origination and collection functions. We are committed to providing pathbreaking solutions to global customers, with our focus on creating digital-first banking journeys.”
Yellow Door Boosts Sustainability with 27 Solar Projects in 2024
Yellow Door Energy, announced its 2024 results, highlighting significant project milestones and sustainability progress.
In 2024, the company added 32.7 megawatts-peak (MWp) to its rapidly growing portfolio. This includes its acquisition of five operating projects in Oman.
Jeremy Crane, Group CEO of Yellow Door Energy, said: “In 2024, Yellow Door Energy commissioned 27 solar power projects across the UAE, Bahrain, Oman and South Africa. Our swift project execution reflects the exceptional collaboration amongst our teams and contractors, and aligns with the Net Zero ambitions of governments in the region. I extend my gratitude to all who contributed to accelerating the Just Energy Transition. We look forward to unveiling even more projects and reaching new milestones in 2025.”
As part of its efforts to drive a sustainable future, Yellow Door Energy published its second sustainability report, titled “From Promise to Progress: Our Journey Towards a Just Energy Transition”, detailing its initiatives and progress in this space. Alongside this, the company issued its second carbon footprint report, underscoring its commitment to decarbonizing its operations.
The company’s achievements were recognized with six prestigious industry awards, including the Excellence in Solar
Project Management award from SolarQuarter and Bahrain’s Al Bilad Award for Corporate Social Responsibility in the Environmental Excellence category.
As part of its ongoing thought leadership and community development initiatives, Yellow Door Energy’s team conducted seven educational workshops for students across the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and South Africa. Notable initiatives include:
• Project Daw in Jordan –Co-funded by Actis Acts, this program delivered free training to 20 Jordanian youths on solar power system design, installation and maintenance. It also provided a solar power system to a community center in Mafraq free of charge.
• INJAZ Solar Plant Tour in
Bahrain – Yellow Door Energy hosted 20 secondary-level school students for an educational tour at its solar power plant at City Centre Bahrain.
With over 350 MWp of projects in operation, under construction, in planning or awarded, Yellow Door Energy continues to lead the solar sector in the region. Its projects are developed through innovative solar leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs), enabling business owners to transition to solar power and significantly reduce electricity costs without incurring any upfront capital expenditure.
The newly commissioned solar power plants feature 61,500 solar panels, utilizing rooftop solar, ground-mounted solar and carport solar applications. More than 550,000 person-hours were dedicated to building the solar power plants, all completed with zero recordable incidents. This achievement highlights the company’s commitment to rigorous quality, health, safety, security and environmental (QHSSE) practices and their strict implementation across all its projects.
To date, Yellow Door Energy’s operational projects in the region have generated 842,000 megawatthours of clean electricity, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions by 328,000 metric tons. This achievement supports the Net Zero and clean energy ambitions of governments in the countries where the company operates.
Jeremy Crane Group CEO, Yellow Door Energy
Ericsson and Batelco Expand Mobile Network in Bahrain
Ericsson and Batelco, part of the Beyon Group, have announced the expansion of Batelco’s mobile broadband network to enhance its 4G and 5G capabilities by strengthening its network coverage and capacity across Bahrain. This expansion highlights the commitment of both companies to providing advanced digital services to consumers and enterprises, ensuring a boosted connectivity user experience.
As part of this expansion, Batelco has deployed Ericsson's latest radio access network (RAN) products, such as Massive MIMO antennas, and modernized its Ericsson Core network infrastructure to the latest network function virtualization infrastructure (NFVI) release, incorporating capacity expansions to meet the growth in both voice
and data traffic.
By integrating innovative and energy-efficient solutions such as dual-mode triple band radios and Interleaved AIR 3218, Batelco can reduce the overall space required and load on its towers with up to 20 percent energy savings, while enhancing overall network performance.
Batelco has also modernized Ericsson Mediation to the latest cloud-native technology, which is designed to improve operational efficiency and meet the increasing data demands of consumers. The enhanced mediation capabilities support various applications, including Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G Standalone use cases, providing the flexibility and scalability needed for reliable and future-ready network services. The new cloud-native Ericsson Mediation platform will enable Batelco to streamline operations and optimize resource utilization. This future-proof platform supports modern interfaces and data attributes while accelerating the development of data pipelines, ultimately ensuring a rapid time-to-market.
Rashed Mohamed, Batelco Chief Technology Officer, says, "This network expansion is a testament to our dedication to delivering cutting-edge digital services and the best possible user experiences to our customers. Our ongoing collaboration with Ericsson strengthens our network coverage
and capacity across the Kingdom and empowers us to meet the growing connectivity demands in Bahrain seamlessly."
Nicolas Blixell, Vice President and Head of Gulf Council Countries at Ericsson Middle East and Africa, says: "The latest network expansion with Batelco represents another successful milestone in our partnership. By leveraging our cutting-edge technology, we are facilitating a strengthened digital infrastructure in Bahrain and an enhanced connectivity experience for Batelco’s consumer and enterprise customers."
This expansion reflects the long-standing partnership between Batelco and Ericsson, demonstrating their joint commitment to introducing the latest telecommunications technologies in Bahrain.
Nicolas Blixell Vice President and Head of Gulf Council Countries, Ericsson MEA
Rashed Mohamed Batelco Chief Technology Officer
Dell Technologies, Aramco and National IT Academy
Celebrate Graduation of Saudi Students from “ITXcelerate” Program
Dell Technologies, Aramco and National IT Academy (NITA) celebrated the graduation of talented Saudi students from the 18-weeks “ITXcelerate” program.
These graduates have earned globally recognized Dell Proven Professional Certifications in Information & Storage Management and Data Science & Big Data Analytics, equipping them with advanced technical expertise and positioning them as future leaders in the tech industry. They also gained invaluable real-world experience through on-site job shadowing at Dell Technologies’ Riyadh premises and tackled industry-relevant challenges in a collaborative DellAramco use case project.
For this year’s cohort, the use case projects were categorized by four groups:
• Group one: Multi-Cloud & Deployment: Focused on
modernizing Aramco’s data centers by integrating multi-cloud environments and advanced technologies like AI. The adoption of the solution could lead to potential enhancement on the scalability, flexibility, and innovation in IT infrastructure while aligning with global best practices.
• Group two: Cybersecurity: Prioritized safeguarding Aramco’s data and operations by implementing advanced cybersecurity solutions from Dell Technologies. The group strengthened defences against evolving cyber threats, ensuring robust data protection and business resilience.
• Group three: HPC/AI: Leveraged high-performance computing and AI to transform seismic data analysis, improving speed, accuracy, and efficiency. This supported better decision-making
in exploration and production, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.
• Group Four: Data Lakehouse: Addressed data management challenges by developing a unified data architecture combining the benefits of data lakes and warehouses. This approach streamlined data storage, retrieval, and analysis, accelerating decisionmaking and supporting future growth.
Dell Technologies, Aramco and NITA remain committed to nurturing local talent and fostering a vibrant, innovation-driven technology ecosystem, that is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to foster economic diversification and digital transformation.
The ceremony was attended by the students and their families as well as officials from Dell Technologies, Aramco and NITA.
"ITXcelerate" جمانرب
Nicolas Blixell Vice President and Head of Gulf Council Countries, Ericsson MEA
Rashed Mohamed Batelco Chief Technology Officer
Jeremy Crane Group CEO, Yellow Door Energy
Salman Abdulghani Faqeeh Managing Director, Cisco Saudi Arabiai
Dr. Lars Littig Managing Director & Partner, BCG
Rami Mourtada Partner & Director of Digital Transformation, BCG
Saif Al Shahrani Country Director, Convergint KSA
Santosh Varghese Vice President, Toshiba Gulf FZE
Reghu Mohandas Sr. Vice President & Chief Business Officer, ValueMentor
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