A new Gartner forecast predicts that IT spending across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region will climb to US $169 billion in 2026, an impressive 8.9% increase over 2025.
For businesses in the region, this isn’t just a technology headline—it’s a strategic signal.
AI-Driven Investments Are Reshaping the Market
The acceleration is being powered by AI, intelligent automation, and AI-optimized infrastructure. Businesses and governments across MENA are pushing digital transformation forward despite global economic and geopolitical headwinds.
As Mim Burt, Practice Vice President at Gartner, puts it, “CIOs in MENA are aligning entire business strategies around AI.” This shift is creating fertile ground for regional and international tech partnerships, and it’s happening on the back of policy stability, modern infrastructure, and ambitious national innovation agendas.
Data Centers and GenAI Demand Surge
Data center systems are the fastest-growing IT category, with spending expected to jump 37.3% in 2026 to nearly $13 billion. While this is slightly slower than the 69% spike in 2025, it reflects a maturing market moving from build-out to optimization.
The driver? Massive demand for generative AI (GenAI) capabilities, particularly from governments, hyperscalers, and AI-first tech companies—more than from traditional enterprises.
Software and Services Go AI-Native
Software spending will rise 13.9% to $20.4 billion in 2026, as more enterprise tools integrate GenAI capabilities directly into workflows. By 2028, Gartner predicts three out of every four dollars spent on software will go to AI-embedded solutions.
IT services will also grow 8.3%, as organizations modernize infrastructure, integrate AI, and seek partners who can help them navigate AI adoption in culturally and commercially relevant ways.
The NettResults Perspective
For brands entering or expanding in MENA, this forecast is more than a budget projection—it’s a PR and positioning roadmap:
- Thought leadership matters now. In an AI-driven market, companies that clearly articulate their innovation story will stand out.
- Localization is essential. AI capabilities need to be communicated with sensitivity to local languages, cultures, and regulatory frameworks.
- Partnership visibility wins. MENA’s growth is driven by collaborations—making it crucial to showcase strategic alliances in the media.
At NettResults Middle East, we help technology companies turn market shifts like this into media opportunities, executive positioning, and measurable brand equity. Whether you’re launching in the UAE, scaling across the GCC, or amplifying your AI message globally from the region, our PR strategies make sure your voice is heard where it matters.
Ready to position your brand as a leader in MENA’s AI-powered IT growth?
Contact NettResults Middle East today to start building the PR strategy that will put your innovations in the spotlight.
Turn insight into action
Want to discuss what this means for your business?
Talk directly with a senior NettResults adviser about your Middle East communications challenge.
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