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Mohannad Al Kalash

VP for Middle East, Africa and Pakistan, Zoom Communications

Neesha Salian
Neesha Salian

16 January, 2026

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As we step into 2026, the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and Pakistan (METAP) region are at an inflexion point. Digital transformation is no longer a competitive advantage – it’s an imperative for organisations seeking to succeed in an increasingly connected world. At Zoom, we’re not just spectators of this evolution; we’re actively shaping it through strategic investments, deep partnerships, and localised solutions that address the unique needs of each market we serve.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has catalysed unprecedented technological progress, and Zoom is committed to being a cornerstone partner in this journey. Our investment strategy in the kingdom promises to reinforce sovereign digital capabilities that serve both public and private sector ambitions. We’re strengthening our local data centre capabilities to ensure that Saudi organisations have access to a secure, low-latency communication infrastructure that meets the highest standards of data sovereignty and regulatory compliance.

Working alongside Aramco, we’re exploring how advanced communication platforms can accelerate the energy sector’s digital transformation. Our collaborations with Public Investment Fund entities are focused on enabling new economic ventures with enterprise-grade communication tools from day one. In healthcare, we’re partnering with leading institutions to reimagine patient care delivery through telemedicine and virtual health services that extend quality care beyond traditional boundaries. The UAE has long been a regional leader in technological adoption, and our 2026 strategy here capitalises on three critical pillars: enterprise modernisation, education innovation, and customer experience transformation.

We’re helping organisations move beyond basic video conferencing to comprehensive AI-powered collaboration ecosystems. Zoom’s AI Companion boosts the efficiency of their workflows, enabling smarter meetings, automated follow-ups, and intelligent content creation that multiplies productivity. In education, we’re partnering with universities and K-12 institutions to create hybrid learning environments that combine the best of physical and digital instruction, preparing students for a globally connected future. Likewise, Zoom’s contact centre solutions help organisations in the UAE deliver seamless, personalised customer experiences across voice, video, and digital channels.

Türkiye represents one of the region’s most dynamic markets, bridging Europe and Asia with a vibrant economy and rapidly growing technology sector. We’re investing heavily in empowering our Turkish channel partners with the tools, training, and support they need to deliver sophisticated AI-powered workflow solutions across key verticals. What unites our approach across these markets is a commitment to industry-focused solutions.

Our partner ecosystem is designed to deliver the customisation and support that makes technology adoption successful, not just possible. Our healthcare customers across these regions can extend their reach through telemedicine platforms that overcome geographical barriers to quality care.
Zoom helps financial services organisations modernise customer interactions and internal collaboration, reducing costs while improving service quality. Telecommunications companies are discovering how Zoom’s APIs and platform capabilities can enhance their own service offerings.

Underpinning all our regional initiatives is Zoom’s commitment to AI innovation. Our AI Companion is revolutionising how people work. Three key objectives underline our efforts in the METAP region in 2026 and beyond: building a world-class partner ecosystem that accelerates innovation and customer value; driving AI adoption responsibly and strategically through technology built on trust, compliance, and local regulations; and empowering governments, enterprises, healthcare systems, and educational institutions through platforms that transform how people connect, learn, and deliver impact.

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