AWS Launches First Cloud Region in Saudi Arabia with $5 Billion Investment

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced its first cloud computing region in Saudi Arabia will go live by December 2026 as part of a $5 billion investment. The new region is designed to provide advanced computing services and high data availability, enabling companies and government entities to leverage AI and data analytics capabilities close to the local market.

The region's launch is seen as an important step towards enhancing Saudi Arabia's competitiveness in the age of intelligence and innovation, according to Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha. The new region will also prioritize digital sovereignty by securing data within the Kingdom.

AWS has also expanded its partnership with HUMAIN, the technology arm of the Public Investment Fund, to develop a national zone dedicated to AI. This collaboration aims to expand Saudi Arabia's capabilities in training large models and running AI applications at scale. The 'Allam' Arabic language model will be launched on Amazon Bedrock, enabling users in Saudi Arabia and the region to access AI solutions tailored to their local language needs.