Tech News
Digital Identity: Enabling MEA eGoverment Entities to Enhance Experiences while Cutting Costs
By Uday Shankar Kizhepat, Vice President and General Manager- Middle East and Africa Region, WSO2
We live digitally. Much of our professional work is digital, as is much of our leisure time. Our commercial activity – shopping, service subscription, banking, and more – is digital. And our government is digital. No doubt governance itself requires the wisdom of individuals. But the transactional part – filing, requesting, registering, licensing, and so on – is digital. Governments in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) know they have an opportunity, with today’s technologies, to streamline transactional government functions while cutting costs.
One way to do this is to introduce digital identities. By allowing each citizen to be recognized by their “bytes essence,” public authorities open the door to transformative programs that use these trusted online personas to get things done reliably and rapidly. Many regional nations are acknowledging the potential of digital ID systems and have cultivated track records for themselves in areas such as boosted citizen engagement and enhanced accuracy of outcomes.
Digital IDs offer a practical means to ensure useability when new e-government services come online. Identity verification, service accessibility, and data protection are three major, long-standing challenges encountered by regional governments on their digital transformation journeys. The digital ID solves all of them. It offers an elegant solution to the verification issue, obviously, but its simplicity enhances accessibility, and its security features protect data.

The ’Guarantee’
The digital identity may look straightforward, but its elegance is built on a toolbox of advanced technologies such as biometrics, encryption, and blockchain. These building blocks come together to give a guarantee of authenticity when an individual presents their credentials to an online gatekeeper. And we should not use the word “guarantee” lightly. It lies at the core of the viability of any authentication system offered by a government. When waved through the door, verified users can access tax history and health records. They can pay bills or register with a government agency. If verification is erroneous, a host of problems can arise.
The digital ID is a holistic, citizen-centric approach that strikes a balance between security and performance and yet does not compromise either. It eliminates bureaucratic bottlenecks and elevates the citizen experience without the public-sector agency ever relinquishing control of any part of the process. But how? How do digital IDs allow government services to operate at peak efficiency and grant seamless access to every citizen while not faltering when it comes to risk management? How do responsive, always-on services guarantee privacy and security? Well, the answer comes full circle, back to digital transformation.
Governments in the Arab Gulf region mention digital transformation frequently in published guidelines that map the way to economic diversification. These same guidelines apply to the government itself, which must set about transforming systems, processes, and functions to prepare for digital IDs and the world they promise – one in which a digital service provider can offer both seamless access and security. Complexities come from the scale and interconnectedness of operations, and the need for every shred of data, every machine-to-machine process, and every user session to be secure. Regulatory obligations must be juggled with budgetary constraints while technology leaders play intermediary to vying stakeholder factions within the organisation. It is easy to see how challenging it might be to maintain interoperability and data-sharing in such a fraught environment.
Of course, none of this will deter government organisations in the MEA region. They know what the hurdles are, but they also know what is to be gained – smoother services that cost less to provide while engendering greater citizen trust and in fact are leading the way in some of these digital initiatives. Remember, regional governments also know that the expectations of their citizens have, in a very real sense, undergone a digital transformation of their own.

Success Stories
If we cast our eyes around the region, we can see digital ID-centric transformation in action already. Some government organisations in the Middle East have introduced biometric facial recognition as part of digital identity phase-ins and are using the system for secure digital document storage. Also in current use are systems that allow single, mobile-based logins. In these countries, the government’s identity access management (IAM) system undergoes a sweeping overhaul that allows the unification of credentials data to provide secure digital identity.
In the Asian subcontinent, we find a government that directed its telecoms ministry to build a national information exchange layer using an API. Strict identity management was rolled out as part of this ambitious project. With digital identity in place, the government can enable slicker collaboration between its departments and enhanced efficiency in outputs. It can do all this while optimising data access and consumption, which empowers analysts to deliver more actionable insights to stakeholders across agencies and ministries.
In Africa, one country showed its peers how an integrated identity and access management solution can be used for risk-based authentication, single sign-on, multi factor authentication, and user self-service. The solution was designed to minimise the risk of identity theft, but it was also (through single sign-on) able to reduce complexity when onboarding and offboarding users.
Conflict Resolved
If digital solutions are the future of government, then digital identity is the future of public-sector cybersecurity and risk management. Governments in the region have been trying for years now to transform service delivery and engender citizen trust and engagement, but security has always been in conflict with agility. Having leveraged digital identity, authorities rid themselves of the downsides and reap rewards such as those described here. These regional successes underscore not only the profound impact digital transformation can have on society, but the indispensable role digital identity will play in delivering those efficiencies in a way that promotes trust.
Tech News
EMARAT SUPPORTS HSE EXPO UNDERSCORING HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP

Emirates Petroleum Company PJSC (Emarat), a pioneer in the UAE’s oil and gas industry, is participating as Official Partner of HSE-Expo 2026, taking place on 1 and 2 April 2026 at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre in Sharjah.
Organised by Sharjah National Oil Corporation and held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmad Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Chairman of the Petroleum Department and President of Sharjah National Oil Corporation, the event brings together industry leaders, specialists, researchers, and stakeholders to advance dialogue around health, safety and environmental priorities across the region.
Emarat’s participation reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening workplace safety, supporting responsible environmental practices, and aligning its operations with recognised regional and international standards. It also reinforces the company’s view that health, safety, and environmental performance is integral to operational excellence, long term resilience and responsible growth across the energy value chain.
Burhan Al Hashemi, Chief Executive Officer of Emarat, said: “At Emarat, health, safety and environment is a leadership priority embedded across every level of the organization. It shapes how we operate, how we invest and how we build a culture of accountability and care. Across our fuel, aviation fuel, lubricants, LPG, and natural gas businesses, HSE is fundamental to operational discipline, business continuity and the trust our customers and partners place in us. Our participation in HSE Expo 2026 reflects our commitment to raising standards, supporting responsible industry practices, and contributing to a safer and more sustainable operating environment.”
Emarat applies health, safety, and environmental discipline across its operations as part of its broader commitment to operational excellence and responsible growth. From frontline safety practices and process discipline to environmental stewardship and continuous improvement, the company views HSE as a business imperative that supports resilience, strengthens trust, and underpins performance across its fuel, aviation fuel, lubricants, LPG and natural gas businesses.
Furthermore, HSE standards are central to every product category Emarat operates in, including LPG. As a provider of composite LPG cylinders, Emarat adheres to global HSE industry standards in this product category among all others, underscoring the company’s commitment to safety and environmental responsibility across all aspects of its business.
Ali AlAstad Alhammadi, Vice President, Health, Safety, Environment and Quality, Emarat, said: “HSE Expo provides an important platform for industry stakeholders to exchange practical insight, share best practice and strengthen collaboration around issues that are central to workforce safety and environmental stewardship. For Emarat, this is an opportunity to engage with the wider HSE community and support continued progress in standards, awareness, and performance across the sector. We are grateful to SNOC for organizing this important platform and we look forward to continued collaboration and future participation”
HSE Expo 2026 serves as an important regional platform for advancing dialogue on workplace safety, environmental responsibility, and industry best practice. By bringing together energy leaders, technical specialists, researchers and stakeholders, the event supports knowledge exchange around the standards and innovations shaping safer and more sustainable operations across the region.
Tech News
ALTERYX EXPANDS REGIONAL LEADERSHIP WITH SABYA SEN TO LEAD IMEA & APAC

Alteryx Inc., a leading AI-ready data and analytics company, today announced the appointment of Sabya Sen as Vice President, IMEA & APAC, to lead its business across India, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific (IMEA & APAC). In this role, Sen will focus on accelerating customer outcomes and scaling adoption of the Alteryx One platform across some of the world’s fastest-growing markets for AI and data innovation.
Sen brings deep regional expertise and a strong track record of execution to this role. Most recently, he served as Vice President, Head of UKI & Emerging Markets Europe at Alteryx, where he drove consistent growth, built high-performing teams, and strengthened customer relationships across global markets.
The appointment comes at a critical phase for AI adoption globally and across IMEA and APAC, where governments and enterprises are increasing investments in digital transformation. In the Middle East, national strategies like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and UAE’s We the UAE 2031 are accelerating innovation agendas. The region’s AI market is projected to reach $320 billion USD, while globally, 89% of leaders plan to maintain or increase AI budgets in 2026. Despite this momentum, many organizations remain in pilot phases, underscoring the need for scalable, governed analytics solutions that can support enterprise-wide AI adoption.
“It is my priority to continue delivering meaningful outcomes for our customers and community,” said Sabya Sen, Vice President, IMEA & APAC. “Across the Middle East, India, and Asia-Pacific, we are seeing unprecedented momentum driven by ambitious national transformation agendas. These efforts are accelerating economic diversification, advancing digital innovation, and firmly positioning these regions as global hubs for data and AI-led growth.”
Prior to joining Alteryx, Sen spent 11 years at Salesforce in a variety of leadership roles, supporting customers across the insurance, financial services, and healthcare industries, where he helped organizations leverage data and technology to transform their operations. In his new role, Sen will focus on helping organizations move beyond experimentation to enterprise-scale AI adoption by delivering trusted, AI-ready data and analytics through the Alteryx One platform.
“Over the past few years, Sabya has had a tremendous impact on Alteryx and has demonstrated a remarkable level of focus, discipline, and strong commercial execution,” said Jason Janicke, Senior Vice President, EMEA & APJ at Alteryx. “He has delivered results, built a strong team culture, and consistently raised the bar. We can’t wait to see the impact that Sabya has in this next role.”
Tech News
VERTIV EXPANDS THERMAL PORTFOLIO WITH NEW WALL-MOUNT COOLING SYSTEM FOR EDGE AND SMALL DATA ROOMS IN EMEA

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, today announced the launch of the Vertiv™ CoolPhase Wall, a space-saving, wall-mount cooling system designed for small IT spaces and edge environments. The system is designed for the needs of IT equipment, removing heat and enabling continuous operation while taking up zero floor space. Vertiv CoolPhase Wall is available now across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
As distributed computing becomes more critical to business operations, compact IT environments need high-quality thermal control designed for sensitive electronic systems. However, many are still using comfort cooling systems designed for human comfort rather than addressing the high sensible heat ratio (SHR) and higher airflow requirements of IT equipment. Vertiv CoolPhase Wall addresses this gap with a purpose-built system that provides the required SHR along with integrated monitoring and control capabilities to protect equipment and enable24/7 operational continuity.
Built for installation flexibility, the Vertiv CoolPhase Wall features a split system with an indoor wall-mounted cooling unit. The system delivers up to 60% greater airflow than standard comfort cooling systems and leverages variable-speed compressors and variable speed fans to modulate to meet heat load demand and improve energy efficiency to enable operational cost reductions.
Designed to handle thermal loads up to 11 kW, the Vertiv CoolPhase Wall is engineered to operate reliably in outdoor ambient temperatures ranging from -35 to 48℃. The system features the Vertiv™ Liebert® iCOM™ operational control, which enables local configuration and supervision of key operating parameters. For extended visibility and remote access, the Vertiv CoolPhase Wall includes onboard remote communication capability to provide real-time alerts and operational status through a secure web interface.
The Vertiv™ CoolPhase Wall utilizes R-32 refrigerant, a low-global warming potential (GWP) alternative that reduces environmental impact while maintaining thermal performance. This positions Vertiv ahead of evolving regulatory requirements, including the European Union’s F-Gas regulations that restrict the use of high-GWP refrigerants. While many comfort cooling systems are still transitioning to lower-GWP options, Vertiv is applying these standards to IT-focused cooling, giving organizations confidence that their deployments are aligned with future environmental expectations.
“As IT continues to expand into areas that were not originally intended for high-density electronics, the demand for adaptable and energy-efficient cooling solutions is increasing across EMEA,” said Sam Bainborough, vice president, EMEA thermal business at Vertiv. “The Vertiv CoolPhase Wall is engineered to support continuous operations, enabling customers to maintain reliable, efficient thermal performance in small IT rooms and edge sites year-round.”
Vertiv CoolPhase Wall expands the company’s comprehensive thermal management portfolio, which includes precision cooling system for edge deployments, enterprise data centers, and high-density AI environments, ranging from room-based cooling to direct-to-chip liquid cooling and rear door exchangers.
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