Microsoft has named 14-year company veteran Ayman AlGhamdi as the new President for Microsoft Arabia, signaling a strategic move to deepen its role in Saudi Arabia’s AI transformation and its Vision 2030 digital objectives. The appointment is effective July 5, 2026.
Quick Facts
- New President: Ayman AlGhamdi appointed.
- Experience: 14-year Microsoft veteran.
- Core Mission: Drive Saudi’s AI and Vision 2030 goals.
Local Leadership for a National AI Vision
AlGhamdi’s appointment places a Saudi national with extensive public sector experience at the helm of Microsoft’s operations in the Kingdom. In his previous role as Vice President of the Public Sector in Saudi Arabia, he worked directly with government bodies to push AI initiatives, cloud adoption, and the enhancement of digital services.
In his new position, AlGhamdi will oversee Microsoft’s entire portfolio in the country. His focus will be on accelerating the uptake of cloud and AI technologies, bolstering data security frameworks, and expanding the company’s partner ecosystem and national skilling programs.
Naim Yazbeck, President of Microsoft Middle East and Africa, described the appointment as happening at a “defining moment for Saudi Arabia’s AI journey,” noting the Kingdom’s rapid shift from planning to implementation.
“Ayman’s deep public sector experience and strong understanding of the local market will be key to helping organizations in Saudi Arabia build trust, skills, and digital capabilities at scale,” Yazbeck added.
From Public Sector to National Tech Leadership
Throughout his tenure, AlGhamdi has been central to forging partnerships across Saudi Arabia’s public sector, guiding organizations in using cloud and AI to boost efficiency and service delivery.
Ayman AlGhamdi, the incoming President of Microsoft Arabia, emphasized the practical application of AI within the government.
“Government entities in the Kingdom are increasingly treating AI not as a future concept, but as a practical tool to improve services, raise efficiency, and create value at scale,” said AlGhamdi. “My priority will be to stay close to customers, partners, and teams, while ensuring that Microsoft brings the full strength of its ecosystem… to support the next phase of Saudi Arabia’s digital growth.”
Doubling Down on the Kingdom’s Digital Future
Microsoft’s presence in Saudi Arabia spans over two decades, with collaborations across government, energy, healthcare, and major national projects.
This leadership change follows several significant commitments by the tech giant, including the development of a Microsoft Saudi Arabia cloud region and a pledge to train 3 million people in AI skills by 2030. AlGhamdi is now tasked with leading these efforts and reinforcing Microsoft’s long-term alignment with Vision 2030.
About Microsoft
Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. The company offers a wide range of products and services, including software, cloud computing, and hardware devices.
Source: Entarabi
