Zoho Corporation has revealed that it has opened its first data centers in the Middle East, with new centers currently in operation in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The expansion is a major milestone in the long-term growth plan of the region by Zoho and a reinforcement of its cloud infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates. Zoho spends AED 100M to improve cloud and digital transformation in the UAE.
AED 100 million investment in the UAE infrastructure
The Dubai and Abu Dhabi data centers are part of the Zoho AED 100 million investment strategy, which was announced in 2023. The facilities will collectively host over 100 cloud-based applications in the Zoho portfolio and solutions of its IT management subdivision, ManageEngine.
The information centers will be configured to facilitate local data storage in response to the increased demand for local cloud services by businesses and government agencies. By storing data in the UAE, Zoho is aligning itself with regulatory demands in data residency and compliance.
Focus on data sovereignty and compliance
According to Zoho, the new data centers are compliant with the National Cybersecurity Agenda of the UAE and are developed to enhance the data sovereignty of companies within the nation.
The facilities are registered by the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) and adhere to various global security and continuity standards such as ISO 27001, ISO 22301, ISO 27017, and CSA STAR Level 2.
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These certifications enable Zoho to provide services to customers who have high compliance requirements, such as government, semi-government, and regulated organizations in the private sector.
Supporting digital transformation in the UAE
The company said the launch reflects its steady growth in the UAE, supported by rising customer adoption, an expanding partner ecosystem, and increased investment in local teams and infrastructure. Rather than a short-term market entry, Zoho said its approach in the region is focused on building sustainable operations.
With the Dubai and Abu Dhabi data centers now live, Zoho is expected to play a larger role in accelerating digital transformation initiatives across the UAE while reinforcing its commitment to the country’s cloud-first strategy and broader digital economy ambitions.