Microsoft plans to invest more than US$10 billion in capital and operating expenses across the Middle East between now and 2030 as part of a new regional technology framework. The company announced the plans on September 23 during a roundtable held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The investment will focus initially on Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Microsoft plans to expand cloud and AI infrastructure across these markets while increasing capacity and developing new capabilities for customers and governments.
The company will also deepen partnerships with governments and national AI organisations in the region. These include HUMAIN in Saudi Arabia, G42 in the UAE and QAI in Qatar, alongside digital government initiatives in several countries.
Microsoft also plans to invest more than $400 million in subsea and terrestrial connectivity across the Middle East by 2030. The investment is intended to increase network capacity, improve regional data flows and support the company’s expanding cloud and AI infrastructure.
The framework also includes a Middle East Digital Resilience initiative. Microsoft plans to work with organisations on continuity and recovery, data protection, cybersecurity and business resilience as governments and companies expand their use of digital services.
Microsoft said its infrastructure expansion will also consider environmental priorities. The company plans to work with partners on water management and clean electricity procurement as AI and cloud infrastructure grows across the region.
