Dubai – Spending on AI in the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa (META) totaled $4.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to surge to $14.6 billion by 2028, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34%.That’s according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation (IDC), with the global technology research and consulting firm attributing this rapid growth to the region’s steadfast commitment to transitioning toward an AI-driven digital economy.
As the META region continues to prioritize AI and generative AI (GenAI) strategies, investments in infrastructure, platforms, foundation models, governance, data architectures, and skills are accelerating. At the same time, organizations across the region are increasingly pivoting from experimentation to scaled adoption and from proof of concept to proof of value.
IDC will explore the challenges and opportunities presented by this shift in priorities as it hosts the META region’s most influential technology vendors, telecommunications operators, and IT service providers at IDC Directions META 2025. Taking place on January 28 at the JW Marriott Hotel Marina in Dubai, this exclusive tech industry event will address the theme ‘Transitioning Your Customers to an AI-Fueled Future.’
IDC’s latest research highlights the transformative economic impact of AI, with the technology expected to contribute $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030 and account for 3.5% of global GDP. Every dollar spent on AI solutions will generate an economic ripple effect of $4.6 through indirect and induced contributions, reinforcing AI’s role as a key driver of innovation and productivity.
“Organizations are embracing this transformation, with 89% of worldwide IT leaders projecting stable or increased budgets in 2025 to prioritize AI-led initiatives,” says Crawford Del Prete, IDC’s global president. “The META region is uniquely positioned to lead the global AI revolution. With the right investments in digital infrastructure and AI governance, organizations across the region can unlock unprecedented economic opportunities and set a global benchmark for innovation.”
IDC Directions META 2025 will showcase IDC’s latest research and insights into this transformation, offering actionable guidance to help businesses and governments unlock the full potential of AI. “AI adoption has undoubtedly begun transforming the region’s business landscape,” says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC’s regional managing director for META, Central Asia, and India. “However, the road ahead requires a sustained focus on building robust ecosystems, fostering skills development, and ensuring scalable cloud and datacenter solutions to fuel the next phase of digital growth.”
Designed to equip tech vendors, resellers, regulators, and service providers with critical insights, outlooks, and predictions, IDC Directions META 2025 promises essential guidance on navigating the region’s evolving AI-fueled landscape. Attendees will also be able to customize the day’s agenda to meet their own specific requirements, choosing from a range of intricately tailored sessions hosted by IDC experts as they shine a spotlight on the key trends shaping ICT investments in their respective territories.
The event will bring together global and regional thought leaders to explore the transformative potential of AI, with key sessions addressing AI’s role in redefining digital business models, optimizing cybersecurity strategies, enhancing cloud infrastructure, and driving datacenter expansion.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain exclusive insights into the trends shaping the META region’s digital future. To learn more about IDC Directions META 2025, please contact Sheila Manek at smanek@idc.com or on +971 4 446 3154. You can also join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #IDCDirectionsMETA.
Source: IDC’s Worldwide AI and Generative AI Spending Guide (V2, August 2024)
About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world’s leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.
IDC in the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa
For the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa region, IDC retains a coordinated network of offices in Riyadh, Nairobi, Lagos, Johannesburg, Cairo, and Istanbul, with a regional center in Dubai. Our coverage couples local insights with international perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of markets in these dynamic regions. Our market intelligence services are unparalleled in depth, consistency, scope, and accuracy. IDC MEA currently fields over 130 analysts, consultants, and conference associates across the region. To learn more about IDC MEA, please visit www.idc.com/mea. You can follow IDC MEA on Twitter at @IDCMEA.