Chinese cloud providers are gradually expanding their presence in the Middle East and challenge the dominance of established American technology companies by more aligning with the priorities and regulations of local administration.
While Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Oracle have been operating regional data centers for several years, companies such as Huawei, Alibaba and Tencent have gained traction through targeted partnerships and services adapted to regional needs. These Chinese companies invest in infrastructure, training and cooperation with regional telecommunications providers to strengthen their support.
According to Manish Ranjana IDC, Chinese cloud providers make progress by supporting local digital transformation efforts. “Despite the established AWS (Amazon Web Services), Azure and Google Cloud in the Middle East, Chinese providers such as Huawei and Alibaba in the region,” Ranjan said in the comments The rest of the world.
American cloud companies were early participants in the region. In 2019, Amazon Web Services opened its first Middle East data center in Bahrain, in 2022 in 2022 the second in UAE. Microsoft launched cloud regions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the same year, while Google Cloud Enred Saudi Arabia in the Dammam Region in 2023.
However, Chinese providers followed a different strategy. Huawei said goodbye to telecommunications companies such as STC, E & Enterprise, Du, Zain, OMANTEL and OOREDOO, to support cloud computing, AI, 5G and intelligent infrastructure. At the Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Alan Qi, President Huawei Cloud Middle East and Central Asia, he emphasized the role of society in allowing digital growth in Saudi Arabia. The company currently operates four cloud devices in the country, included a low latency data center that delayed processing.
In March, Huawei announced cooperation with Zain KSA to strengthen network infrastructure. The company claims that more than 1,000 customers have already joined Saudi Arabia through its Riyadh Center, including government departments and financial institutions.
Tencent entered the regional cloud market in February and undertook to invest over $ 150 million in Saudi Arabia in the coming years.
Alibaba Cloud watched a similar journey and last year in 2022 and opened the SAE data centers in Saudi Arabia. He also said goodbye to the STC to start a Saudi cloud company that was designed to support the Vision 2030 Kingdom strategy.
Chinese companies have created partnerships with public sector organizations and adapted their platforms to support data placement requirements. “They also created a strategic partnership with government entities in the region, especially in Saudi Arabia to ensure that local data is observed,” Ranjan said in the note The rest of the world.
Artificial intelligence has also become a key focus. China’s providers have integrated into their services earlier and more aggressive US competitors. At the Global Huawei Global AI Summit, BRONA ZHANG revealed how its Arabian models could save the times of Saudi Arabia by up to 40% – a practical example of AI adapted to local needs.
This effort is further supported by the Chinese initiative of Digital Silk Road, which supports diplomatic links and facilitates the market for Chinese companies. While American providers face data management voting, Chinese companies benefit from a high level that streamlines operations and reduce regulatory friction.
For CIOS in the Middle East, especially in sectors such as government and finance, Chinese cloud services are a combination of local compliance, efficiency and support. Emphasized Ranjan – according to The rest of the world– Thanks to this associated service offers and a clear focus on the total cost of ownership, these platforms have made these platforms particularly attractive.
Kenneth Lindegaard, CIO of Space 42 based in SAE, said that while cloud adoption is growing, some industrial security load is still running better on traditional infrastructure. “The cloud market is very competitive and there are many players,” Lindegaard said in the comments reported by the rest of the world. “Regulations such as data location, etc., are risky because there may be no business reason for all of them to build cloud data centers throughout the country.”
The preferences for hybrid cloud services combining cloud services with data centers on-premise-on on the strengths of Chinese companies that soon structured their regional strategy around this flexibility.
Luis Bravo, Head of Data Center, based in Texas Hawk, noted that the technological ability in itself is not enough to succeed in markets like the Middle East. “Chinese companies show that successful depends on confidence and cooperation as computing power,” Bravo said in the Remoks report from the rest of the world.
As the cloud landscape in the Middle East is developing, competition is increasingly focused on who can offer tailor -made for a custom -suited solution – Drather Thani, which offers the most advanced technology. Chinese providers seem to have taken this message to the heart.
(Photo: Unsplash)
See also: Amazon Cloud returned estimates when opponents pulled forward
Do you want to know more about cyber security and cloud from industry leaders? Check out Cyber Security & Cloud Expo in Amsterdam, California and London.
Explore other upcoming events and webinars with technology and webinars driven Techforge here.
(Tagstotranslate) Cloud Alibaba (T)