Microsoft plans $10 billion-plus Gulf investment with focus on resilience

Microsoft is planning to invest more than $10 billion in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait over the next decade, with a focus on cloud and AI infrastructure, according to a senior executive. The investments are part of Microsoft's strategy to bolster digital resilience in the region amid the ongoing Iran war.

Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, highlighted the company's commitment to these investments, stating that they are not only expanding existing operations but also building new infrastructure. The Gulf countries are investing heavily in AI to diversify their economies away from oil and gas, and Microsoft sees potential in these markets.

Despite challenges such as access to advanced chips and the uncertainty caused by the war, Microsoft is committed to its planned spending schedule. The company has already supported local partners during the conflict, providing digital resilience assessments even in the early days of the war. Microsoft will also invest over $400 million in subsea and terrestrial connectivity across the Middle East by 2030 and is strengthening partnerships with national AI companies like G42 in Abu Dhabi, of which it holds a minority stake.