UAE: e& And AWS Partner In Over $1 Billion Strategic Alliance For Cloud Innovation

In a significant development for the digital sector in the Middle East, e&, a leading global technology group with a subscriber base exceeding 175 million across 34 countries, has announced a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), a prominent cloud provider worldwide. This collaboration is set to bring about a transformative shift in cloud-driven innovation and digital transformation in the region. The partnership comes on the heels of AWS's decision to launch its second Middle East cloud region in the UAE in 2022, accompanied by a substantial investment aimed at bolstering the local economy.

The alliance is poised to leverage AWS's extensive range of over 200 comprehensive services, enabling e& to modernize and enhance platforms such as Starzplay Arabia and Careem. Starzplay Arabia, a leading TV streaming service partly owned by e&, along with Careem, a widely used app in the Middle East offering services from food delivery to digital payments, stand to benefit significantly from the integration of advanced AWS technologies. Furthermore, this collaboration will see e& expanding its AI capabilities and advancing its Smart Home services. Additionally, the partnership allows for the accumulation of e&'s Smiles points through Amazon purchases.

The collaboration between AWS and e& is set to accelerate the adoption of cloud services, focusing on key technologies such as storage, computing, networking, cybersecurity, and the burgeoning fields of AI and machine learning (ML). As part of the agreement, valued at over $1 billion (Dh3.7 billion) for the next six years, both entities aim to fast-track digital innovation across various sectors in the region. This strategic move is not just a testament to their commitment to fostering digital transformation but also to bolstering the economic landscape of the Middle East.

In alignment with the UAE's Vision 2031, this partnership underscores AWS's deep commitment to the region's growth and innovation, particularly in the realms of AI and ML. "This collaboration marks another significant step in our ongoing investment in the UAE, which has emerged as an international force driving innovation," said Tanuja Randery, Vice President, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, AWS. She further highlighted the importance of AWS's security infrastructure and expertise in AI and ML in empowering public sector organizations, regulated industries, and enterprises to innovate securely and drive progress across the region.

Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing its role in creating a supportive ecosystem for digital advancements and future growth. "This agreement with AWS demonstrates our shared long-term strategic goal to create an ecosystem that supports today's digital needs and lays the foundation for future growth," Dowidar remarked. He underscored the initiative's focus on enabling businesses to lead in an AI-powered, data-driven economy, thereby supporting the region's digital resilience and economic development.

One of the pivotal aspects of this partnership is the democratization of cloud access for hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) supported by e&. These businesses will gain entry to the AWS Marketplace, facilitating the discovery, deployment, and management of software running on AWS. This move is expected to level the playing field, allowing SMBs to leverage cloud technologies to drive growth and innovation.

Moreover, both companies plan to utilize AWS's unique Amazon Bedrock generative AI solutions to empower customers with cutting-edge AI tools. This initiative aims to enhance productivity and customer experiences across the board, showcasing the transformative potential of generative AI technology across all industry sectors.

The timing of the AWS and e& collaboration is noteworthy, given the rapid pace of cloud adoption in the Middle East. Recent reports suggest a significant shift towards cloud services, with nearly 70 percent of companies in the region planning to migrate most of their operations to the cloud in the coming years. The economic impact of this shift is substantial, with public cloud adoption expected to unlock $733 billion in economic value by 2033 across the Middle East and North Africa.

This partnership is set to unlock new growth opportunities for businesses, drive cloud adoption, and support the UAE's ambition of becoming a leading digital powerhouse, fostering economic growth and digital innovation across the region.