Vice Chair and President Brad Smith stated that the current timing is optimal for investing in Gulf nations. The expansion represents the first major update on the company's Middle East business since the outbreak of the US war with Iran.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Microsoft Pledges $10B to Gulf in First Business Update Since Iran War
Business27 days ago
The software giant will spend roughly $2 billion in new capital across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates through 2030. This commitment brings Microsoft's total regional investment to more than $10 billion, absorbing a prior $7.9 billion pledge to the UAE. Approximately $400 million of the funding is earmarked for undersea cables and other digital infrastructure to boost connectivity.
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