Source: Based on a 2024 SAP survey showing that 67% of UAE companies have already moved core functions to the cloud, and the World Economic Forum’s 2025 analysis on AI adoption in Middle Eastern banks.
Looking back to 2018, the idea of a cloud-first financial institution in the GCC was considered radical. Today, in September 2025, it’s the standard. We are now seeing a massive acceleration of cloud adoption, with a recent survey from SAP revealing that over two-thirds of companies in the UAE have already moved their core business functions to the cloud. This trend isn’t limited to the UAE; it is a region-wide phenomenon.
My decision to fully commit to the cloud wasn’t just about technology; it was a strategic bet on agility and future-proofing. This bet has paid off exponentially. Our cloud-based infrastructure was a primary reason we could maintain seamless operations during the COVID-19 shutdowns, and it’s the foundation upon which we are now building our AI-powered services. The World Economic Forum, in a 2025 report, highlighted that AI is predicted to contribute up to 13.6% to the GCC’s GDP by 2030. Cloud infrastructure is the enabler for this AI revolution, providing the scalable computing power and real-time data access needed to train sophisticated AI models.
The lessons learned are clear:
- The cloud isn’t just a cost-saving measure; it’s a launchpad for innovation.
- Security is paramount, but modern cloud security protocols, including zero-trust architectures and continuous threat monitoring, can be more robust than traditional on-premise solutions.
Being a first-mover creates a significant competitive advantage, a lesson that is now being applied across the GCC in the race to adopt generative and agentic AI.