Salesforce, a leader in AI-driven CRM solutions, has announced plans to strengthen its presence in Saudi Arabia by establishing a new regional headquarters in Riyadh. This expansion includes a partnership with IBM to open a Center of Excellence in Riyadh, as well as a commitment to upskill 30,000 Saudi citizens by 2030. These strategic investments are aimed at accelerating the Kingdom’s digital transformation and aligning with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
The announcement was made at the Saudi House during the World Economic Forum in Davos, in the presence of Khalid A Al-Falih, Minister of Investment; Abdullah A Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology; and Ahmed A Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism.
The new regional headquarters in Riyadh will serve as the focal point for Salesforce’s operations in the Middle East, enabling local enterprises like Almosafer (Seera Group), Red Sea Global, and Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) to benefit from Salesforce’s expertise in digital labor and innovation. Central to this effort is Agentforce, Salesforce’s digital labor platform that leverages AI to revolutionize business productivity. The expansion will help local businesses and the public sector in Saudi Arabia drive innovation, operational efficiency, and contribute to achieving the nation’s Vision 2030 goals.
Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, shared his excitement about the company’s expansion in the region: “This is a moment where productivity is no longer tied to workforce growth but to intelligent technology that can be scaled without limits. Agentforce allows humans and agents to work together to drive customer success. I look forward to the results of our partnership with IBM and our customers in the region.”
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, Al-Falih, highlighted the significance of the announcement, stating that Salesforce’s new regional headquarters and the partnership with IBM would contribute to the Kingdom’s transformation into a global hub for technology investment and innovation. He added, “This milestone underscores the confidence that global companies have in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda and National Investment Strategy.”
As part of the collaboration, Salesforce will also focus on AI upskilling programs to prepare the Saudi workforce for future-ready careers in AI and digital labor. The company plans to upskill 2,500 Saudi citizens by 2026, with a goal of reaching over 15,000 by 2030. Salesforce’s efforts will also include a focus on gender parity by creating opportunities for female talent.
The AI Center of Excellence, developed in partnership with IBM, will leverage Salesforce’s AI capabilities alongside IBM’s consulting expertise and watsonx technology to drive AI-powered digital transformations. This collaboration aims to redefine business operations across industries by fostering a powerful digital workforce powered by advanced AI.
Dave McCann, Managing Partner of IBM Consulting EMEA, emphasized the importance of this partnership, saying, “By integrating Salesforce’s AI capabilities with IBM’s expertise, we are creating a powerful ecosystem that will unlock unparalleled productivity and value for businesses, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”
Salesforce’s upskilling efforts will be supported through collaborations with local universities, industry partners, and government entities, including the Ministry of Education, National Information Technology Academy, Saudi Digital Academy, and more. The company will also utilize its Trailhead platform to ensure broad access to AI training across the Kingdom.
This expansion and investment highlight Salesforce’s commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital economy and Vision 2030, fostering innovation, and driving AI-led growth across the region.
