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Tahawul Tech
2 hours ago
- Tahawul Tech
KSA Future Enterprise Awards 2025
CPI Media Group are taking our Future Enterprise Awards on the road. In November, we will be hosting the inaugural Future Enterprise Awards in Riyadh. The awards are designed to recognize IT and business leaders that are driving rapid digital transformation across the Kingdom. The KSA has made no secret of its ambitious plans to diversify its economy through the adoption of technology – and the sheer scale of both investment and projects taking place across Saudi Arabia is unprecedented globally. The jewel in the crown of the Kingdom, or the guiding light in all of this is the Saudi Vision 2030 doctrine. The national blueprint has been fundamentally designed to position the KSA as a regional and global leader in digital infrastructure, governance and innovation. Our awards want to acknowledge those who are championing change, whether it be from a private or public sector organization, we want to pay tribute to the fearless trailblazers forging a new path and a new identity for the KSA. For more information on how you can nominate an organization, or an individual for one of our prestigious awards, please click on the link below that will re-direct you to a microsite with all the information required.
Tahawul Tech
a day ago
- Tahawul Tech
'Modern networks need to be predictive autonomous and secure by design.' – Mohannad Abuissa, Cisco
Mohannad Abuissa, Director of Solutions Engineering and CTO for Cisco in the Middle East and Africa, has written an op-ed, which argues that whilst its clear AI is transforming networks, it is also raising the stakes and adding complexity. As the UAE accelerates its transformation into a global hub for innovation, smart infrastructure, and digital excellence, the reliance on robust, secure network connectivity becomes more critical than ever. The country's ambitious investments in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and cybersecurity are positioning it at the forefront of digital evolution, driving its vision for a knowledge-based economy. The UAE's focus on innovation and seamless digital operations, from smart cities to tech hubs, means that any disruption carries widespread consequences across critical sectors. According to Cisco's latest global networking report, insights from over 8,065 senior IT and business leaders worldwide, including more than 250 in the UAE, reveal a stark reality: just one severe network outage per organization each year can cause a staggering economic loss of billions globally. Downtime's true cost goes beyond money While it's easy to consider downtime mainly as a financial loss, its true effects run far deeper. Beneath the numbers lies a more significant problem: each outage erodes trust, hampers productivity, and diminishes future opportunities. When the network fails, supply chains are disrupted, customer service suffers, and the company's reputation can be damaged. IT leaders in the UAE are already delivering financial value from today's networks – largely by improving customer experiences (59%), boosting efficiency (57%), and enabling innovation (56%). But much of that value is at risk if it comes from infrastructure that hasn't been designed for AI or real-time scale. To unlock the full growth and savings they expect, leaders have identified critical gaps they must close: siloed or partially integrated systems (64%), incomplete deployments (55%), and reliance on manual oversight (50%). Smarter, more secure, more adaptive networks are the business case for investment. 96% say improved networks will directly drive revenue, and 97% expect meaningful cost savings – driven by smarter operations, fewer outages, and lower energy use. AI is transforming networks — and elevating the risks AI is transforming networks — and raising the stakes. The rise of AI assistants, autonomous AI agents, and data-driven workloads is fundamentally changing how work gets done, but it's also generating network traffic that is more complex, unpredictable, and demanding than ever before. These applications require vast bandwidth and ultra-low latency to support real-time and near real-time processing. Our research reveals that 67% of respondents say their current data centres can't fully support AI requirements, and 92% intend to boost capacity—whether on-premises, in the cloud, or both. This significant investment shift reflects the nation's commitment to becoming a global AI leader. This is not just about managing more data; it's about enabling real-time insights, supporting innovative applications, and driving growth at an unprecedented scale for the UAE economy. The network is no longer just the backbone – it's the engine driving UAE's digital transformation, yet it faces unprecedented pressures from the complexity of AI workloads. Secure Networking: Essential for Business Growth With increased complexity comes greater risk. As networks become more dynamic and distribute their vulnerability to cyber threats grows. In the UAE 99% of organizations consider secure networking vital to their operations and growth with 68% viewing it as critical. Additionally, 97% believe that enhancing their network will improve their cybersecurity posture. We are at a crucial turning point. The traditional view of networks as static and siloed systems is no longer relevant. Modern networks need to be predictive autonomous and secure by design. They must support seamless connectivity for AI workloads remote teams and hybrid cloud environments all while safeguarding data applications and reputation. At Cisco, we see this as both a challenge and an opportunity. By redesigning networks for greater flexibility, intelligence, and security, organizations can fully realize the advantages of AI, drive efficiency, and gain a sustainable edge in the marketplace. A pivotal moment — and a chance for growth The insights from our research indicate that network outages are no longer merely temporary inconveniences; they represent a multi-billion-dollar challenge to global innovation and economic progress. For UAE organizations, this underscores a significant area for consideration. Investing in modernizing and securing networks is poised to enable businesses to harness the full potential of AI, drive efficiencies, and maintain a long-term competitive edge
Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
MENA region saw 14 IPOs raise US$2.5b in Q2 2025
The UAE saw the listing of Dubai Residential REIT, which raised US$584m IPO momentum to continue across the MENA region with 14 companies intending to list during H2 2025, including 10 from KSA and offerings from non‑GCC markets Dubai, UAE: According to the latest EY MENA IPO Eye report, markets in the MENA region saw 14 IPOs during Q2 2025, raising US$2.5b in proceeds. This marks a 4% increase in capital raised when compared to Q1 2025, demonstrating sustained investor appetite and the resilience of regional capital markets. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the second quarter's largest IPO was flynas, which debuted on the Tadawul Main Market and accounted for 44% of Q2's total proceeds. This was followed by Specialized Medical Company, which raised US$500m, and United Carton Industries Company with US$160m. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) welcomed Dubai Residential REIT, which raised US$584m. The listing marks a significant milestone as the largest Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) by market capitalization in the GCC and the first pure‑play residential leasing REIT in the region. Brad Watson, MENA EY ‑ Parthenon Leader, says: 'The second quarter of this year has reinforced the MENA region's position as a resilient and dynamic IPO market. In spite of investors practicing caution, we have seen strong growth. The diversity of sectors represented, along with milestone listings such as Dubai Residential REIT, highlights the depth of opportunities across the region. With a healthy pipeline for the remainder of 2025, we expect this momentum to continue.' While after‑market performance varied, with 10 of the 14 IPOs closing below their offer price on debut, five listings recorded gains, reflecting a cautious investor sentiment. Companies are increasingly strategic about market timing, carefully assessing investor sentiment and macroeconomic conditions before going public. In terms of equity market performance, the Boursa Kuwait Premier Market Index led regional gains in Q2 2025, rising 17.2%, while other markets posted mixed results. Shift toward secondary listings The nature of IPO proceeds in Q2 2025 reflects a notable shift, with secondary listings accounting for 64.3% of all IPOs, up from 35.7% in Q1 2025. This suggests a preference among issuers for shareholder exits over new capital raising, further demonstrating a more cautious approach amid ongoing market uncertainty. Gregory Hughes, MENA EY-Parthenon IPO Leader, says: 'KSA continues to set the pace for IPO activity in the MENA region, attracting strong interest across multiple sectors. At the same time, landmark transactions in the UAE show how regional exchanges are evolving to meet the needs of a broadening investor base. This diversity, combined with continued enhancements in market governance, is key to sustaining long‑term growth.' The outlook for MENA IPOs in the second half of 2025 remains strong, supported by a healthy pipeline of 14 planned listings across a range of sectors. KSA continues to lead with 10 anticipated offerings, while upcoming activity from Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco highlights the region's expanding market depth and diversification. Mehak Shajin Associate Manager M +971 50 389 8914 E mshajin@ MCN Hive, 4th Floor, Barsha Heights – Section C P.O. Box 50197, Dubai, UAE
