Low-code, AI adoption surges in MEA as CIOs tackle app backlogs, finds report

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Chief information officers across the globe are increasingly adopting low-code platforms to accelerate application development, according to Kissflow’s 2025 CIO Low-Code Strategy Pulse Report, with 86 per cent of CIOs now considering them essential to their technology strategy.

The report highlights a growing reliance on AI to further boost development speed and scale, as businesses face talent shortages and mounting IT backlogs. Over half of CIOs surveyed (55 per cent) said AI will dramatically increase the number of applications developed.

The research also points to a rise in citizen development, with departments such as operations (33 per cent), finance (25 per cent) and human resources (23 per cent) creating their own applications with minimal IT support. This trend reflects a shift toward decentralised, business-led innovation.

Cost efficiency remains a key metric, with 57 per cent of CIOs measuring low-code platform impact through reduced development costs. AI capabilities were ranked the most important differentiator when selecting platforms (34 per cent), ahead of total cost of ownership and system integration features.

“The data makes one thing clear: the traditional, IT-only model for application development can no longer keep pace with business demands,” said Prasanna Rajendran,  VP at Kissflow. “In the Middle East, we see this trend amplified by rapid digital transformation across sectors such as government, finance and energy. CIOs here are looking for ways to scale innovation without adding to IT complexity or cost.

“Low-code and AI-enabled platforms are giving enterprises the ability to address application backlogs, modernise legacy systems, and empower business users, all while maintaining governance and security.”

Executive pressure (27 per cent) and overwhelming application backlogs (26 per cent) were cited as top drivers behind low-code adoption.

Primary use cases included internal tool development such as workflows and approvals (71 per cent), legacy system modernisation (48 per cent) and expanding ERP or CRM functionality (45 per cent).

Low-code adoption in the MEA region

In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, low-code adoption is rising sharply, particularly in government, banking, financial services, insurance and energy sectors, where agility and regulatory compliance are critical.

AI integration enables faster application delivery across distributed teams, although governance and integration remain barriers to scaling in regulated industries.

“With AI and low-code, regional enterprises can leapfrog traditional development bottlenecks and empower business teams to innovate securely,” said Suresh Sambandam, CEO of Kissflow.

Kissflow, founded in 2004, is a low-code/no-code platform enabling non-technical process owners, known as citizen developers, to automate workflows and processes.

Global brands including Pepsi, McDermott and Motorola Solutions rely on the platform, which has been recognised as an industry leader by Gartner, Forrester and G2.

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