Leading Digital Transformation in MEA 

The MEA Region is becoming one of the main sources of demand for managerial profiles such as CIOs, CDOs, and CTOs.   

Countries in this zone are promoting the processes of the digital transformation of their industry and their economy in order to combat their traditional dependence on oil.  

Currently, some of the most significant international projects in the field of robotics and AI are being developed in this geographical area.

The automation of processes through applications based on IoT, the adoption of Blockchain technologies and the growing deployment of 5G Networks, place the countries in the zone among the main international exponents of Industry 4.0 (although the leader is China).

The countries of the MEA region have particular social and economic characteristics which greatly facilitate their progress towards digitalization:   

• High proportion of young people. In Saudi Arabia, for example, half the population is less than 25 years old.
• Intensive use of cutting-edge technologies both in the personal and professional fields.
• Strong presence of leading global companies in sectors such as tourism, retail, telecommunications, energy, automotive, banking, luxury, etc.
• High investment capacity of public and private organizations. 

The importance of cultural competences

These are favorable circumstances for digital development which, at the same time, demonstrate the need to attract highly qualified professionals who possess the knowledge and experience necessary to lead such ambitious changes. 

Multinational companies and large local corporations are bringing in managers with advanced technical and leadership skills, but also with sensitivity to manage multicultural teams efficiently.   

The cultural competences of the managers with responsibility over the technological areas will be, increasingly, the decisive factor for the development of their international careers.