In a bid to bolster its presence in Saudi Arabia and further support the country’s digital transformation, Cisco announced groundbreaking initiatives at LEAP 2024, underscoring its commitment to advancing technology in the Kingdom.
At LEAP 2024, a pivotal event for tech innovation, Cisco unveiled strategic plans aimed at fortifying its position in Saudi Arabia. This included the establishment of a new regional headquarters in Riyadh and the rollout of an enhanced phase of its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) Program. These initiatives mark a significant step forward in Cisco’s long-standing partnership with Saudi Arabia, reaffirming its dedication to driving technological progress in the region.
Eng. Haitham bin Abdul Rahman Al-Ohali, the Vice Minister of Communications and Information Technology, emphasized the importance of technology in realizing Saudi Vision 2030, praising Cisco’s investments as crucial for economic growth and diversification. He highlighted the role of global tech giants like Cisco in bringing expertise and innovation to propel Saudi Arabia toward a knowledge-based economy.
Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President and Global Innovation Officer at Cisco, expressed enthusiasm for the company’s continued contributions to Saudi Arabia’s digital journey. He emphasized the role of Cisco’s CDA program and Networking Academy in fostering co-innovation, investment, and workforce development, crucial elements in driving the Kingdom’s digital economy forward.
The Ministry of Investment’s grant of a Regional Headquarter license to Cisco in August 2023 further solidified the company’s commitment to the MENA region. The launch of the new office in Riyadh underscores Cisco’s dedication to accelerating Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation journey.
Reem Asaad, Vice President for Cisco Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, Romania, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), highlighted Cisco’s ongoing investments as instrumental in integrating technology across various sectors, driving innovation, efficiency, and economic growth.
Moreover, Cisco’s collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology will continue with the latest phase of its CDA program. This iteration will align with Saudi Arabia’s Research and Development National Strategy, focusing on critical areas such as Health and Wellness, Sustainable Environment, Energy, and Future Economies.
Since its inception in 2016, the CDA program has spearheaded digitization efforts across key industries in Saudi Arabia, with over 20 impactful projects realized to date. These projects have played a vital role in sectors including healthcare, education, smart cities, and government digitization, fostering collaboration with key entities such as KAUST, SDAIA, and Vision 2030 Giga Projects.
Additionally, Cisco remains committed to nurturing digital skills through its Networking Academy, having trained over 335,000 learners in Saudi Arabia in various digital technology fields.
Salman Faqeeh, Managing Director of Cisco Saudi Arabia, expressed pride in the company’s achievements in the Kingdom and its commitment to driving digitization alongside partners and customers. He emphasized Cisco’s comprehensive suite of technologies aimed at advancing various IT and business objectives, positioning Cisco at the forefront of Saudi Arabia’s digital evolution.
