e&, a global technology group serving over 175 million subscribers across 34 countries, has announced a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS), the leading provider of cloud services. This partnership comes after AWS established its second cloud region in the Middle East in the UAE in 2022. The initiative includes a planned investment of US$5 billion (AED 20 billion) in the local economy through 2036.
AWS and e& have formed a strategic alliance to enhance cloud solutions for the public sector and regulated industries in the Middle East, including healthcare, finance, and oil and gas. This partnership aims to meet stringent regulatory requirements with sovereign cloud infrastructure. They have signed a $1 billion (AED3.7 billion) agreement over six years to drive cloud innovation and digital transformation, focusing on core services like storage, computing, networking, cybersecurity, and AI/ML, solidifying e&’s role in the UAE’s digital economy.
The agreement allows e& to utilize AWS’s extensive services to modernize platforms like Starzplay Arabia and Careem. e& will enhance its AI capabilities and Smart Home services using Amazon’s technologies, and customers can earn Smiles points when shopping on Amazon. Additionally, AWS will help small and medium-sized businesses, supported by e&, access the AWS Marketplace, facilitating software discovery and management on the cloud.
Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO of e&, said, “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. We are enabling businesses across the region to lead in an AI-powered, data-driven economy. By investing in both critical infrastructure and talent development, we’re again supporting the region’s economy, digital resilience, and, most importantly, its people, who will be instrumental in realising the UAE’s vision of becoming a world-leading digital powerhouse.”
Tanuja Randery, Vice President, Europe, Middle East, and Africa, AWS, said, “This collaboration marks another significant step in our ongoing investment in the UAE, which has emerged as an international force driving innovation. Our partnership with e& underscores AWS’s deep commitment to both the UAE and the wider Middle East, particularly in fast-tracking UAE Vision 2031. Our security infrastructure and expertise in AI and ML empower public sector organisations, regulated industries, and enterprises with the tools they need to innovate securely and drive progress across the region.”
The collaboration between AWS and e& comes at a crucial moment as cloud adoption reshapes public sector services and enterprises. PwC reports that nearly 70% of companies in the Middle East intend to transition the majority of their operations to the cloud within the next two years. Additionally, a 2023 report from Telecom Advisory Services forecasts that public cloud adoption could generate $733 billion in economic value across the Middle East and North Africa by 2033.
e& UAE partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) in February 2024 to implement cutting-edge generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technologies. The AI-driven innovation analyzed complex customer preferences to deliver personalized product recommendations and boost engagement and satisfaction. Additionally, it enabled customers to explore and experiment with generative AI, automated intricate processes and offered customized, up-to-date solutions within applications.