Global Tech Giants SAP Launches Innovation Hub in Saudi Arabia

Global tech giants SAP has announced an increased investment in Saudi Arabia, which will include the launch of a regional SAP Innovation Hub in the Kingdom, aimed at fostering co-innovation with new and existing customers and partners. Additionally, an SAP Experience Center is set to open in Al Khobar. These initiatives are part of SAP's commitment to enabling co-creation and innovation in Saudi Arabia's business landscape, with a focus on addressing operational challenges and driving business value across various industries tailored to the Saudi market.

The SAP Innovation Hub is designed to serve as a collaborative platform for local businesses, startups, partners, and SAP experts. It aims to create a vibrant community of innovation in Saudi Arabia, where individuals and organizations can collectively tackle industry-specific challenges. Key enterprises from industries such as oil and gas, energy, supply chain, manufacturing, telco, sports, entertainment, and the public sector have been invited to participate in this initiative.

In line with its commitment to Saudi Arabia's digital transformation, SAP is supporting the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Center of Digital Entrepreneurship (CODE) startup program. CODE is focused on promoting digital entrepreneurship and cultivating a culture of innovation, aligning with SAP's efforts to advance technology in Saudi Arabia.

“We are committed to supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s role in championing regional digital transformation and harnessing new technologies in a responsible way to benefit the region,” Ahmed AlFaifi, SVP & MD, Middle East Africa – North at SAP, tells StartupScene. “Our investment in the SAP Experience Center and Innovation Hub as well as the SAP Academy of Engineering is part of our four-pronged strategy to support the rapid development of the Kingdom’s digital market, alongside accelerating new technology adoption and establishing a robust partner ecosystem.”

SAP's investment includes an extension of its elite training program for advanced technology skills, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). This program, which saw 127 IT talents graduate from the SAP Academy for Engineering in San Ramon, California, in 2023, targets promising Saudi national technology talents. The initiative aims to enhance their IT, application development, AI skills, and leadership expertise. SAP plans to enroll an additional 150 national IT talents in 2024, further demonstrating its commitment to developing the knowledge economy and providing career opportunities for Saudi nationals in the technology sector.