Top 10: Technology Leaders in MEA
The Middle East and Africa's technology sector is undergoing substantial change, with leaders navigating complex transformations across markets at different stages of digital maturity.
Regional executives face mounting pressure to deliver cloud solutions while addressing data residency requirements that vary significantly between countries. These demands come as organisations accelerate their shift from legacy infrastructure to digital operations.
The competition for technology talent has intensified. Leaders must develop local expertise while competing internationally for specialists in emerging fields like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
Infrastructure, meanwhile, presents persistent challenges. The rollout of 5G networks continues as technology chiefs simultaneously modernise core systems that underpin critical services. Many are doing this while operating in markets with evolving regulatory frameworks.
This shift occurs against a backdrop of economic diversification, with technology executives playing a central role in reducing dependence on traditional sectors. Their decisions influence not just individual organisations, but the broader development of the region's technology ecosystem.
This week, we highlight the executives driving this transformation.
10: Mohammed Al-Badrani
Role: Vice President – Operations, stc
Location: Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Al-Badrani serves as Vice President of Operations at stc, the Saudi telecommunications company.
Mohammed oversees network infrastructure and customer service operations at stc, managing the company's operational strategy across Saudi Arabia. His role focuses on aligning operations with business objectives across all regions.
Previously at stc, Mohammed was General Manager for Infrastructure Implementation, where he led the deployment of fixed and mobile networks including wireless access and fibre systems.
Before joining stc, Mohammed held senior technology positions at Mobily, the Saudi telecommunications provider, where he led network engineering and technology operations.
9: Reham Almusa
Role: Managing Director & VP Business Applications, Oracle
Location: Saudi Arabia
Reham Al-Musa serves as Vice President of Cloud Applications for Public Sector and Country Leader at Oracle Corporation, the enterprise software provider, in Saudi Arabia.
Reham oversees Oracle’s government sector cloud computing business, helping public organisations implement digital transformation projects aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. She focuses on deploying artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions across public sector clients.
Reham began her technology career as an intern before advancing to leadership positions at technology companies across the Middle East. She holds a bachelor's degree in Information Technology from King Saud University.
She leads initiatives to develop Saudi technology talent through university workshops and Oracle's Women's Leadership programme.
8: Khalid Murshed
Role: CTIO, e& UAE
Location: United Arab Emirates
Khalid Murshed serves as Chief Technology and Information Officer at e& UAE, the telecommunications division of e& group.
Khalid joined e& group in 2013 as Chief Technology Officer of Etisalat Misr in Egypt, where he led the company's 4G network deployment. Under his leadership, the company became Egypt's second-largest telecommunications provider.
Previously, Khalid was Vice President for Mobile Access Network at du, the UAE telecommunications company. He also managed network development at Mobily in Saudi Arabia, overseeing mobile infrastructure deployment during Hajj season.
7: Patricia Obo-Nai
Role: CEO at Vodafone Ghana
Location: Ghana
As CEO of Vodafone Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai was the first woman to assume this role when she was appointed in 2019. She has worked for Vodafone Ghana - the country’s second-largest mobile carrier by market share - since 2016.
She is well-known for her dedication to empowering people across the country of Ghana with telecommunication technology and ensuring its use for good, which includes reducing mortality among the pregnant population - statistics of which are staggeringly high compared to the worldwide average.
With more than 20 years working across the telecommunications sector, Patricia is a respected business leader continually committed to returning value to shareholders through an engaged team.
6: Reem Asaad
Role: VP - Middle East, Africa, Türkiye, Romania and CIS, Cisco
Location: United Arab Emirates
Reem Asaad serves as Vice President for Middle East, Africa, Türkiye, Romania and CIS at Cisco Systems, the networking hardware and software provider.
Reem oversees Cisco’s regional digitisation initiatives, working with governments and organisations to implement network infrastructure and technology solutions. Her role focuses on developing technology skills programmes across emerging markets.
Before joining Cisco, Reem was CEO of Raya Customer Experience, the Cairo-based business process outsourcing company, where she led digital transformation and market expansion projects.
With 25 years of experience, Reem has worked across technology, financial services and customer experience sectors.
5: Hatem Dowidar
Role: Group CEO, e&
Location: United Arab Emirates
Hatem Dowidar serves as Group CEO of e&, the UAE-based technology and telecommunications group formerly known as Etisalat.
Hatem joined e& in 2015 as Group Chief Operating Officer before becoming CEO in 2020. He previously spent 15 years at Vodafone Group, the telecommunications company, where he held roles including CEO of Vodafone Egypt and Group Chief of Staff.
At e&, Hatem led the company's transformation from a telecommunications provider to a technology group operating across 38 markets.
Hatem sits on the boards of Vodafone Group, Maroc Telecom and Mobily. He is a member of the GSMA and the United Nations Internet Governance Forum leadership panel.
4: Charles Yang
Role: President, Huawei Middle East
Location: United Arab Emirates
Charles Yang serves as President of Middle East region at Huawei, the telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics manufacturer.
Charles joined Huawei in 1999 and has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 20 years. At Huawei Middle East, he oversees the company's business groups which span network infrastructure, enterprise technology, and consumer devices.
His role focuses on expanding digital connectivity across the region. This includes working with telecommunications companies to deploy 5G networks and helping organisations implement digital transformation projects.
Charles concentrates on developing technology education programmes in the Middle East to support workforce development in the telecommunications sector.
3: Alegra Kilstein
Role: Global Chief Information Officer, Amdocs
Location: Israel
Alegra Kilstein serves as Global Chief Information Officer at Amdocs, the telecommunications software and services provider.
With over 20 years in technology, Alegra oversees the company's internal technology strategy and innovation programmes. She participates in Amdocs Ventures, the corporate investment arm that funds emerging technology companies.
At Amdocs, Alegra focuses on implementing workplace technology solutions. She works with various community groups to increase technology sector diversity, including programmes for ultra-Orthodox and Druze women.
Alegra is also a member of Maoz, a leadership network that develops cross-sector initiatives in Israel. The organisation connects decision-makers across Israeli society to implement social changes.
2: Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban
Role: Managing Director, Middle East, Africa & Turkey
Location: Saudi Arabia
Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban serves as Managing Director for Middle East, Africa, and Turkey at Google Cloud, the enterprise cloud computing and AI division of Alphabet Inc.
Prior to joining Google Cloud, Abdul Rahman held senior positions at Oracle Corporation, where he expanded the company's technology business across the region.
His work focuses on implementing data analytics and cloud computing solutions for corporate clients. These technologies enable companies to process large amounts of information and run applications without maintaining physical servers.
Abdul Rahman appears regularly in Forbes Middle East's ranking of technology executives. His expertise spans enterprise software, cloud infrastructure, and data management strategies.
Throughout his 25-year career in technology, Abdul Rahman has concentrated on helping organisations adopt data-driven decision making. This involves using software to analyse business information and identify operational improvements.
He specialises in developing technology leadership talent across Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.
1: Samer Abu Ltaif
Role: President, Microsoft Middle East and Africa
Location: United Arab Emirates
Samer Abu Ltaif is President of Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMA) at Microsoft.
Previously President of Microsoft Middle East and Africa for six years, Samer managed 3,000 employees across 40 offices in 79 countries. His latest role, which commenced in Februry 2023, saw 33 European nations added to his remit.
At Microsoft, Samer established cloud data centres in South Africa, UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. He directed a US$100m investment into Development Centres in Lagos and Nairobi, focused on software engineering.
Born in Lebanon, Samer began his career at NCR, the payment systems and ATM manufacturer, where he progressed to manage Bahrain operations. He joined Microsoft in 2004 as Regional Director for Enterprise and Partner Group in MEA.
The Microsoft Startup Founders Hub, launched under his leadership, provides technical resources and cloud computing credits to early-stage technology companies.
Samer studied computer science at the American University of Dubai.
Explore the latest edition of Technology Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Tech & AI LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today.
Technology Magazine is a BizClik brand
