e&, the global technology group serving over 175 million subscribers across 34 countries, has announced a significant strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s leading cloud provider. This collaboration follows AWS’s establishment of its second cloud region in the UAE in 2022, which included a planned investment of $5 billion (AED20 billion) in the local economy through 2036.
Combining cloud capabilities
This new alliance merges AWS’s sovereign cloud infrastructure and solutions with e&’s robust network capabilities, aiming to meet the rigorous demands of customers in the public sector and regulated industries, such as healthcare, finance, and oil and gas in the Middle East. Together, the companies will deliver cloud solutions that comply with industry regulations, addressing the rising need for secure and scalable infrastructure. By partnering with AWS, e& reinforces its position as a crucial facilitator of the UAE’s digital economy, creating fresh growth opportunities for businesses of all sizes.
As part of this collaboration, e& and AWS have signed an agreement exceeding $1 billion (AED3.7 billion) over the next six years. This partnership is set to amplify the impact of cloud-driven innovation and digital transformation throughout the region. The focus will be on providing essential cloud services such as storage, computing, networking, cybersecurity, as well as advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).
Read more: e& to transform digital landscape by showcasing AI in action at Gitex Global 2024
Enhancing digital services
The agreement empowers e& to utilize AWS’s extensive portfolio of over 200 fully featured services to modernize platforms like Starzplay Arabia, a TV streaming service where e& holds a majority stake, and Careem, the Middle East’s all-encompassing app offering services like food delivery, mobility, and digital payments. Additionally, e& plans to integrate Amazon’s technologies to enhance its AI capabilities and advance its Smart Home services, while users can earn e&’s Smiles points through shopping on Amazon.
Supporting small businesses
AWS will also facilitate access for hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses, supported by e&, to the AWS Marketplace. This initiative will enable these enterprises to discover, deploy, and manage software that operates within the AWS framework, democratizing cloud access.
Advancing generative AI technology
Just as AWS has made cloud computing services accessible, it is also reshaping the landscape for generative AI technology, allowing companies of all sizes and developers with varying skill levels to engage in this evolution and expand their businesses. The partnership will further leverage AWS’s innovative Amazon Bedrock generative AI solutions to equip e&’s customers in the Middle East, enhancing productivity and customer experiences. Amazon Bedrock offers a selection of foundation models from leading AI providers via a single Application Programming Interface (API), facilitating the development and scaling of generative AI applications.
Timely collaboration
Moreover, this collaboration between AWS and e& arrives at a pivotal moment, as cloud adoption is reshaping public sector services and enterprises alike. According to PwC, nearly 70 percent of companies in the Middle East plan to migrate most of their operations to the cloud within the next two years. A report by Telecom Advisory Services forecasts that public cloud adoption could unlock $733 billion in economic value across the Middle East and North Africa by 2033.
Empowering businesses
Hatem Dowidar, group CEO of e&, mentioned that this partnership with AWS reflects their mutual long-term strategic vision to create an ecosystem that meets today’s digital needs while laying the groundwork for future growth. He emphasized that they are empowering businesses in the region to thrive in an AI-driven, data-centric economy. Dowidar noted that by investing in critical infrastructure and talent development, they are reinforcing the region’s economy, enhancing digital resilience, and supporting its people, who are vital to realizing the UAE’s ambition of becoming a leading digital powerhouse.
Commitment to innovation
Tanuja Randery, vice president for Europe, Middle East, and Africa at AWS, highlighted that this collaboration is a significant milestone in their ongoing investment in the UAE, which has emerged as a global leader in innovation. She underscored that the partnership with e& reflects AWS’s deep dedication to the UAE and the broader Middle East, particularly in accelerating the goals of UAE Vision 2031. Additionally, Randery indicated that their security infrastructure and expertise in AI and ML provide public sector organizations, regulated industries, and enterprises with the necessary tools to innovate securely and advance progress in the region.
Driving regional growth and talent development
With a strong commitment to talent development, AWS and e& aim to launch a local upskilling initiative that will provide training opportunities in cloud technologies and AI to thousands of individuals, including UAE nationals.
Randery added that this initiative aligns with the UAE’s Vision 2031, which seeks to position the nation as a global economic hub while driving digital transformation across key sectors. She also stated that investing in the skills of UAE nationals will positively influence the region’s economic growth and technological leadership.
Future-ready workforce
Salvador Anglada, CEO of e& enterprise, noted that their partnership with AWS is transformative for their customers. He explained that by combining AWS’s state-of-the-art cloud capabilities with e&’s local expertise, they will provide businesses in the region with the tools and infrastructure necessary for rapid digital transformation. Anglada emphasized that this collaboration ensures that they are investing in training to develop a highly skilled workforce ready to thrive in the AI-driven economy of the future.
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