In an era where digital transformation is at the core of economic and social development, Saudi Arabia has set a bold vision for the future with its Vision 2030 strategy. Central to this vision is the nation’s move toward technological advancement and digital sovereignty, and Huawei Cloud is playing a critical role in facilitating this transformation. At the recent Huawei Cloud Summit Saudi Arabia 2024, Huawei announced a series of groundbreaking initiatives aimed at accelerating digital transformation in the Kingdom.
Key Partnerships and Infrastructure Expansion
One of the most significant milestones has been the expansion of Huawei Cloud’s Riyadh Region, from a single availability zone (AZ) to three AZs in record time. Roy Luo, Vice President of Cloud Consulting Solution Sales Dept., Huawei Cloud ME&CA, highlighted this achievement while responding to Teletimes during a recent media roundtable hosted by Huawei. He noted, “Supported by the government, carriers, and data center partners, we expanded the Saudi Arabia region from a single AZ to three AZs in record time. During this period, we achieved CST’s Class C certification and became the first hyperscaler to establish three availability zones with Huawei Cloud Riyadh Region. The Riyadh Region offers 25ms ultra-low latency for customers in Saudi Arabia and provides high-bandwidth, reliable, low-latency cloud direct connection. Additionally, with latency under 100 ms, it serves surrounding regions such as the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and Europe.”
This expansion has significantly improved the availability and performance of cloud services in the region, enabling industries across Saudi Arabia and beyond to benefit from Huawei’s cutting-edge cloud solutions. Huawei Cloud’s infrastructure now serves over 300 customers in Saudi Arabia, providing them with AI-ready cloud services that are designed to support the country’s digital transformation goals.
Public Cloud Growth and Local Ecosystem Development
Huawei Cloud’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation is also reflected in its impressive public cloud business growth. Luo added, “The revenue of public cloud services grew by 300% in the region, and the revenue of public cloud service increased tenfold in Saudi Arabia.” This growth has been fueled by Huawei Cloud’s ability to deliver innovative and differentiated solutions tailored to local needs, which has driven the company’s success in the Kingdom.
Moreover, Huawei has been a pivotal player in nurturing the local ecosystem. Lawrence Liu, CEO of Huawei Cloud Saudi Arabia, emphasized the importance of collaboration with the local community: “This year marks 22 years of Huawei’s presence in Saudi Arabia, where we have consistently adhered to the principle of ‘in Saudi Arabia, for Saudi Arabia.’ We aim to collaborate with the country to nurture digital talent and strengthen the local ecosystem, with plans to train over 3,000 ICT undergraduates this year.”
Huawei Cloud’s investment in talent development aligns with Vision 2030’s focus on fostering local expertise and reducing reliance on foreign talent. By training thousands of students and partnering with over 100 local businesses, Huawei is helping to build a robust and sustainable digital economy.
AI-Driven Solutions for Government and Industry
At the heart of Huawei Cloud’s support for Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation is its AI-ready cloud infrastructure. This infrastructure is designed to enhance various sectors, including government services, retail, and finance. The company’s Pangu models and AI development platforms are being used across a range of industries to solve complex problems and improve operational efficiency. Mark Chen, President of Huawei Cloud’s Global Solution Sales Department, emphasized this, stating, “Huawei Cloud is committed to building AI-ready cloud infrastructure through systematic innovation and accelerating the intelligent upgrade of the industry.”
One of the most notable AI-driven initiatives is the development of the Saudi government’s Arabic large language model (LLM), which supports over 20 AI applications. By leveraging Huawei’s AI-ready cloud services, the government has been able to deliver more efficient services and improve data sharing across departments. Additionally, Huawei’s AI-driven solutions are being applied in sectors like retail and e-commerce, helping local businesses expand their operations and improve service delivery.
Conclusion
With significant investments in infrastructure, talent development, and innovative AI solutions, Huawei is playing a crucial role in supporting the Kingdom’s digital future. As Roy Luo noted, “Huawei is the preferred partner for Chinese enterprises entering Saudi Arabia, actively delivering innovative and differentiated solutions to local customers.” This partnership, combined with Huawei’s deep commitment to the region, positions Huawei Cloud as a key enabler of Saudi Arabia’s journey toward becoming a global digital leader.
With AI-driven solutions and cloud infrastructure designed to meet the unique needs of the region, Huawei Cloud is not only accelerating Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation but also contributing to the broader Middle East, Central Asia, and African markets by providing low-latency, high-bandwidth cloud services that empower businesses to thrive in the digital age.
