As technology reshapes global economies, governments and businesses across the Middle East are facing the same shift: AI and advanced technologies are no longer optional. The region is at a turning point—adapt quickly, or fall behind it.
More than 80% of organizations in the region say they feel pressure to adopt AI, and 69% plan to increase investment, according to Deloitte’s 2025 State of AI in the Middle East report. Generative AI adoption among consumers is notably higher in the U.A.E. and Saudi Arabia, where 58% report using such tools, ahead of the U.K. and European markets.
For the first time, we publish three lists that capture the different forces shaping the Middle East’s technology shift.
The Middle East’s Top Tech Leaders in Government highlights senior public-sector leaders running national entities that regulate, secure, and enable technology ecosystems—setting the rules that let innovation to scale safely. Topping the list is Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cybersecurity for the U.A.E. Government, followed by Abdullah bin Sharaf Alghamdi, President of the Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA), and the U.A.E.’s Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary-General of Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC).
The Middle East’s Top Tech Leaders Of Global Companies spotlights the regional leaders at global technology firms who are pushing cloud, platforms, enterprise software, and AI across Middle Eastern markets—translating global capability into local delivery. Ronaldo Mouchawar, Vice President—Middle East, Africa, and Türkiye of Amazon tops the list, followed by Anthony Nakache, Managing Director—MENA at Google, and Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director—MENA & Türkiye at Google Cloud. Fares Akkad, Managing Director—Middle East & Africa of Meta, also features third.
The Middle East’s Top Tech CEOs recognizes founders and executives leading some of the region’s most influential technology companies – from AI and telecom to cybersecurity champions, defense and digital infrastructure. Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, leads the list, followed by Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, and Olayan Alwetaid Group CEO of stc Group.
