Ismail Kiswani: AI Transformation Leader at Thiqatech

A comprehensive strategic analysis of forming an SME IT Consortium in Saudi Arabia focused on GRC, Infrastructure, and AI services. The market opportunity is significant, the regulatory environment is favorable, and the timing is right. https://lnkd.in/dBssk-ah

Governata, the Saudi enterprise data governance platform, has appointed Anas Al Azzeh as Director of Customer & Partner Success as it intensifies its focus on large-scale enterprise delivery. The move, announced by Chief Executive Djamel Mohand, reflects growing demand in the Kingdom for AI-ready, locally governed data infrastructure aligned with national regulatory frameworks. As organisations across Saudi Arabia reassess data sovereignty, compliance and AI preparedness, the company appears to be positioning itself at the centre of this shift. ✅ Appointment of Anas Al Azzeh, formerly Enterprise Sales Manager at Informatica, to lead Customer & Partner Success. ✅ Strategic focus on scaling enterprise adoption and delivering measurable impact. ✅ Alignment with Saudi regulatory frameworks, including NDMO standards, PDPL and the National Data Index. ✅ Expansion of a unified platform spanning governance, privacy, data quality, pipelines and Generative AI enablement. ✅ Broader ambition to build AI-powered enterprise decision-making tools across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. As demand for compliant, locally built data infrastructure accelerates, Governata’s latest hire underscores the operational discipline required to convert strategy into sustained enterprise value. #DataGovernance #SaudiArabia #EnterpriseTech #AI #DigitalTransformation

NAWAF ALOTAIBI is a senior digital transformation and cloud strategy leader specializing in AI-enabled enterprise solutions, cloud infrastructure, and financial services modernization. He currently serves as Strategic Account Manager, where he acts as a primary technical advisor for strategic accounts including Saudi Aramco and PIF, translating complex business needs into advanced Google Cloud Platform (GCP) Landing Zone implementations. He leads multi-million-dollar portfolios, including AI-driven initiatives such as the Aramco Global Optimizer Project, while also integrating Google Cloud, Boston Dynamics Robotics, and Cognite Data Fusion into enterprise transformation programs. Previously at Riyad Bank as Product Lead, he managed large-scale digital banking initiatives and led cross-functional teams to launch MSME platforms and improve product efficiency and customer experience. Earlier in his career, Nawaf served at بنك البلاد | Bank Albilad as Digital Delivery Manager, where he delivered innovative banking solutions including Visitors Account and Mobily Pay (E-Wallet), improving onboarding speed and deployment efficiency. At Vinnell Arabia, he held multiple roles including Sr. Programmer / Database Administrator and Programmer / Database Editor, where he developed enterprise systems, knowledge management platforms, and performance optimization solutions. He also served as Head of Technology Quality Assurance & Change Control Board at Samba Financial Group, where he strengthened digital governance and led the launch of key banking systems, and earlier worked at Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs (MNGHA) and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, building foundational experience in systems, operations, and enterprise support. Across his career, he has consistently delivered AI-powered cloud transformation, fintech innovation, and large-scale enterprise system modernization. #AICLOUD #FintechInnovation #DigitalTransformation #GCP #EnterpriseAI

After 15+ years helping Indonesian enterprises govern their data — from energy to banking to government — I kept seeing the same challenge: fragmented tools, siloed metadata, and data governance frameworks that live in PowerPoint instead of production. Today, I'm proud to announce the launch of Dataloka Intelligence — an enterprise data governance platform built from the ground up for Indonesian organizations. What makes it different: → Knowledge-graph metadata management for data catalog → 60+ connectors spanning databases, warehouses, BI tools, and ML platforms → Data Quality & Observability with 80+ rule templates mapped to DAMA-DMBOK dimensions → A built-in Data Marketplace & Data Lakehouse where data teams browse, request, and consume governed data products → Cross-Platform Data Lineage deep into Column-level lineage → Enterprise-grade security: 11 RBAC data stewardship roles, SAML2 SSO, ISO 27001-aligned controls → TKDN-certified and LKPP e-catalog ready We designed this for the reality of Indonesian enterprise procurement — with pricing in IDR, on-premise deployment options for regulated industries, and an AI-ready Enterprise Data Governance Platform tier that ships with AI Agent. This isn't a fork of an open-source project with a logo on top. This is purpose-built technology from an Indonesian team, for Indonesian enterprises. Learn more: https://dataloka.co.id #DataGovernance #DataQuality #DataCatalog #MadeInIndonesia #TKDN #EnterpriseData #DataManagement #BUMN #DataLakeHouse #DataMarketplace #SatuData #BigData

Governata appoints Anas Al Azzeh as Director of Customer & Partner Success. Read More - https://lnkd.in/d2v7X-6G The appointment comes as organizations across Saudi Arabia accelerate their focus on data sovereignty, regulatory alignment, and AI-ready infrastructure. In his new role, Anas will drive enterprise adoption, enhance customer engagement, and support large-scale implementations aligned with national data priorities. “At this stage of our journey, scaling adoption and delivering measurable impact are key priorities,” said Djamel Mohand, CEO of Governata. “Anas brings deep regional expertise and a proven ability to deliver value at scale.” Anas joins from Informatica, where he played a key role in expanding enterprise data solutions across the GCC. His experience will support Governata’s growth as it scales its unified platform designed to integrate data governance, privacy, pipelines, quality, and generative AI enablement. As demand for trusted, locally governed data continues to rise, Governata is strengthening its leadership to help organizations unlock the full value of data while ensuring compliance and scalability in an AI-driven future. Image Credit - Anas Al Azzeh, Director of Customer & Partner Success, Governata #Governata #DataGovernance #AI #SaudiArabia #Leadership #DigitalTransformation #DataManagement #TechNews #Innovation

Yasser Zalah is a distinguished data and AI leader currently serving as Head of Data Governance, Analytics and Reporting at the Public Investment Fund (PIF), where he plays a pivotal role in shaping data-driven decision-making at one of the world’s most influential sovereign wealth funds. With deep expertise spanning data strategy, governance, and analytics, Yasser is at the forefront of enabling intelligent, insight-led operations that support large-scale investment and national transformation initiatives. His leadership focuses on building robust data ecosystems, ensuring governance excellence, and unlocking the full value of data as a strategic asset in the digital economy. Prior to PIF, Yasser held several impactful roles at neoleap, where he progressed from Data Strategy and Governance Manager to Acting Chief Strategy and Performance, leading enterprise-wide data initiatives and aligning analytics with business performance. His earlier experience includes advisory roles at the Ministry of Justice - KSA and leadership in analytics consulting at SITE سايت, where he guided organizations on data transformation and governance frameworks. From hands-on technical beginnings in data science to executive leadership, Yasser’s journey reflects a strong blend of strategic vision and execution—positioning him as a key driver of AI-enabled, data-centric transformation across Saudi Arabia’s evolving digital landscape. #DataGovernance #AILeadership #DigitalTransformation #DataStrategy #FinTech #AIMena

Oman is entering a decisive phase in its digital transformation journey. The conversation is no longer about digitization—it is about sovereignty, resilience, and control. Globally, we are witnessing a structural shift: From dependence on centralized foreign technology platforms → toward sovereign and hybrid digital ecosystems. Recent developments have made one thing clear: Digital infrastructure is no longer neutral. It is strategic. For Oman, the opportunity is significant. With strong institutional capability and high digital maturity, the country is well positioned to lead the next phase: ✅ Sovereign cloud frameworks ✅ Secure digital identity systems ✅ AI deployment with governance and trust ✅ Innovation ecosystems anchored in free zones However, one critical element often underestimated is the legal architecture behind these systems. Without the right frameworks: Data sovereignty remains incomplete Cross-border risks increase Long-term control is compromised This is where integrated collaboration between technology, policy, and legal expertise becomes essential. The next phase of digital transformation in Oman is not about adoption—it is about strategic ownership. If you are part of government, infrastructure, legal, or technology leadership, this is the moment to engage. #Oman #DigitalTransformation #Sovereignty #AI #TechnologyStrategy #MiddleEast #Innovation #Leadership #Alalawico

What is the National Data Index (NDI)? Saudi Arabia didn’t just invest in data. It built a way to measure it. Under SDAIA | سدايا. (SDAIA), the Kingdom introduced the National Data Index (NDI) — a unified framework to evaluate how effectively government entities manage, govern, and use data. Because here’s the real challenge: You can’t transform what you can’t measure. The NDI solves this by: • Creating a common language for data maturity • Benchmarking entities across the public sector • Turning assessments into actionable improvements — not just scores And it’s not optional. From ministries to national authorities, entities across Saudi Arabia are assessed under the governance of the National Data Management Office (NDMO). What makes it even more powerful? NDI is deeply connected to national platforms like: National Data Lake, Data Catalog, Open Data Platform, and Tawakkalna — meaning performance isn’t theoretical, it’s operational. This is how you move from data ambition → data accountability. In the next post, I’ll break down how the NDI actually works — and what it measures. #SaudiArabia #Vision2030 #DataGovernance #AI #DigitalTransformation #SDAIA #NDI #DataStrategy

A question for every enterprise leader in Saudi Arabia starting the week 👇 Your organisation has the AI ambition. Does it have the data foundation? Here is the reality we see working with enterprise teams across KSA and the GCC every day: Most organisations are 80% ready for AI — and stuck on the 20% that actually matters. That 20% is always the same things: 📌 Data sitting in disconnected legacy systems that AI can't access 📌 No real-time pipeline — agents making decisions on yesterday's data 📌 Inconsistent data quality between departments 📌 Governance gaps that create compliance exposure at scale 📌 Teams building on cloud platforms before fixing what's underneath Saudi Arabia's infrastructure buildout — data centers, cloud regions, supercomputing — creates an enterprise-ready environment for AI. But infrastructure without data readiness is expensive real estate. The Kingdom is building the world-class infrastructure. Your job as a leader is to make sure your organisation can actually use it. At InfoObjects Saudi Arabia, we start every Cogence.ai engagement with a data readiness assessment — because we've learned that the fastest path to AI in production always runs through your data architecture first. What's the biggest data challenge blocking your AI roadmap right now? Drop it in the comments 👇 — we'll respond to every one. 🔗 cogence.ai #DataEngineering #AgenticAI #InfoObjects #Cogence #SaudiArabia #Vision2030 #EnterpriseAI #SaudiAIYear #CDO #CTO #KSATech #GCC #CloudMigration #DataStrategy #AIStrategy #MENA #DigitalTransformation

Data migration today isn’t a matter of if — it’s a matter of when. Global instability, data as the new currency, and shifting geopolitics all reinforce one timeless principle: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. At Muteki Group, we help KSA businesses enhance resilience, compliance, and scalability by relocating critical workloads to European data centers. We combine strong European technology capabilities with deep regional expertise to deliver end-to-end support—from audit and architecture design to automated deployment and ongoing optimization. Write “KSA” in the comments to receive a proposal. #CloudSecurity #KSACloud #Muteki_Group