News
Feb 19, 2026
News
Artificial Intelligence
Middle East & Africa
NewDecoded
7 min read
Image by Digico Solutions
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is launching a new infrastructure region in Saudi Arabia by 2026, backed by a massive $5.3 billion investment. This initiative, supported by partners like Digico Solutions, aims to accelerate the adoption of cloud computing and artificial intelligence throughout the Kingdom. By bringing local data centers to the region, the partnership intends to provide businesses with the low-latency and high-security environment needed for advanced digital operations.
The collaboration seeks to empower Saudi enterprises with tools such as machine learning and data analytics to drive operational efficiency. Organizations will gain the ability to process sensitive data locally, complying with national data sovereignty regulations. This is particularly vital for sectors like healthcare and finance that require strict residency for their workloads. By providing these capabilities, AWS and Digico Solutions want to turn the Kingdom into a global leader in the digital economy.
To ensure the success of this infrastructure, a major focus is being placed on workforce development. AWS is investing in innovation centers and specialized training programs to bridge the local skills gap. One key initiative is the AWS Saudi Arabia Women’s Skills Initiative, which provides cloud training to thousands of women. These efforts are designed to create a sustainable pipeline of talent capable of managing complex AI systems. Tangible results from this partnership are expected to manifest as the 2026 launch date approaches. The new region will feature three Availability Zones, ensuring high reliability and fault tolerance for critical applications. This timeline aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on economic diversification and technological innovation. Local businesses can anticipate a significant boost in performance and scalability once the infrastructure goes live. Beyond pure technology, the project emphasizes environmental responsibility and long-term economic growth. AWS has committed to powering its operations with 100 percent renewable energy by 2025 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. This aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative and the Kingdom’s broader sustainability targets. The multi-billion dollar investment signals deep confidence in the Saudi market as a hub for future tech investment.
AWS is finalizing a $5.3 billion infrastructure project in Saudi Arabia, with the new region expected to go live by early 2026. This development is supported by a key partnership with Digico Solutions, aimed at fast tracking the integration of cloud services and artificial intelligence. The move is a central part of the Kingdom’s strategy to build a modern, diversified economy that moves beyond oil reliance.
The main goal of the AWS and Digico Solutions partnership is to make advanced technology accessible to Saudi enterprises of all sizes. They are working to deploy localized machine learning tools and Generative AI frameworks that comply with national data residency laws. This focus ensures that businesses can innovate securely while keeping their data within the borders of the Kingdom.
While the full infrastructure will be ready in 2026, the impact of this collaboration is already felt in the local job market. Joint training programs are currently upskilling thousands of Saudi citizens in cloud architecture and data science. This early investment in human capital ensures that the local workforce is ready to manage and expand the digital ecosystem as soon as the data centers open.
A major part of the initiative involves using tools like AWS Bedrock to create Arabic language models tailored for the Middle Eastern market. This allows local companies to build products that are more relevant to their customers and more efficient for their specific operational needs. The result is a more robust startup environment and more agile large scale industries across the country.
Environmental sustainability is built into the project, with a commitment to use 100 percent renewable energy for operations by 2025. AWS also plans to be water positive by 2030, returning more water to local communities than its data centers consume. These efforts ensure the digital expansion supports the long term ecological health of the region.
This cloud expansion represents a fundamental shift toward technical sovereignty for Saudi Arabia. By establishing local data centers and focusing on regional AI development, the Kingdom is reducing its dependence on international digital infrastructure. For the global tech industry, this signals the emergence of a self sustaining hub in the Middle East that is capable of hosting high security workloads and driving specialized AI innovation. This development positions Saudi Arabia as a central player in the future of the global digital economy.