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HP Invests In Saudi Tech, AI, And Education To Boost Regional Growth
The tech giant is committed to expanding local manufacturing, AI R&D, and education initiatives, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program.
Global tech manufacturer HP is doubling down on its commitment to Saudi Arabia with a series of strategic initiatives known as “Made in Saudi”. The investments align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and focus on technology manufacturing, artificial intelligence, research & development, and education.
One of the company’s key moves is the establishment of a large manufacturing facility in Riyadh, aimed at strengthening Saudi Arabia’s tech industry. Additionally, HP is launching an AI and R&D Center of Excellence (CoE) in Dhahran, designed to give the Kingdom a competitive edge in the global tech market. The center will drive advancements in data analysis, robotic process automation, and smarter decision-making.
HP is also prioritizing education, rolling out multiple programs to help develop the skills of young Saudis. By 2027, the company aims to create thousands of new jobs, giving local talent a vital role in the country’s economic transformation away from the oil sector.
“At HP, we see tremendous potential in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and have made strategic AI investments to fuel further growth in the region,” said Enrique Lores, President and CEO of HP Inc. “Building on our trusted brand and the strength of our portfolio, we are committing to manufacturing, education, and research initiatives that drive innovation and help expand HP’s global reach, bringing even greater opportunity to the MEA region”.
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A strong network of government partnerships has also helped HP roll out several global education initiatives, such as the HP Cambridge EdTech Fellowship and HP IDEA. So far, the programs have benefited over 600,000 people, and by 2027, they are expected to reach more than 6 million students and teachers in Saudi Arabia.
HP also continues to back the Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES). In June 2024, the company opened the HP Gaming Garage Lab at the Saudi Electronic University, shortly after, HP’s online courses earned micro-degree status from the National eLearning Centre (NeLC) and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT).
HP’s significant investments in Saudi Arabia show a considerable commitment to the Kingdom’s digital transformation, and will surely help to boost the company’s presence across the wider Middle East.
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Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
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The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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