Salesforce has announced plans to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia with a new regional headquarters in Riyadh.
Salesforce also announced plans to partner with IBM to open a Center of Excellence in Riyadh. Separately, it pledged to provide upskilling opportunities to 30,000 Saudi citizens by 2030. These investments underscore Salesforce’s growing presence in the region as more companies invest in Agentforce, the digital labor platform for enterprises.
The announcement was made at Saudi House at the World Economic Forum during an official event hosted by HE Khalid A. Alfalih, Minister of Investment; HE Abdullah A. Alswaha, Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and HE Ahmed A. Alkhateeb, Minister of Tourism.
Driven by Agentforce, Salesforce is ushering in a new era of digital labor, where AI agents work alongside humans to redefine productivity and unlock unlimited potential. Salesforce’s expanded presence in the region will enable customers like Almosafer (part of the Seera Group), Red Sea Global, and Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) to benefit from its local expertis, according to a press communication.
Support digital transformation
“We are excited to expand our presence in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region and help drive innovation, enhance productivity, and support key digital transformation initiatives with our Agentforce digital labor platform,” affirmed Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO, Salesforce.
“This is a moment where productivity is no longer tied to workforce growth but to intelligent technology that can be scaled without limits, a new era of humans with agents working together to drive customer success. I look forward to seeing the fruits of our partnership with IBM and our customers in the region,” he added.
“Salesforce’s decision to establish its regional headquarters in Riyadh, combined with its partnership with IBM to launch an AI Center of Excellence, marks yet another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey toward becoming a global hub for investment in technology, in innovation and, most importantly, in Saudi talent,” observed HE Minister Alfalih.
“Through this partnership, we are building a sustainable future by empowering our youth, fostering entrepreneurship, and offering businesses a gateway to markets across continents,” noted HE Minister Alswaha.
New regional headquarters in Riyadh
Salesforce will open its new regional headquarters, including a physical office in Riyadh, in 2025. Additionally, Salesforce will welcome Mohammed Alkhotani as the newly appointed Senior Vice President of the Middle East, where he will oversee regional strategy, operations, partnerships, and customer engagement.
“With Agentforce, we’re empowering our customers and partners to navigate this new era, equipping them with the tools, skills, and education to thrive in an AI-driven economy. I’m excited to work with our talented team and partners to unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation,” stated Al Khotani.
AI Innovation Centre in Riyadh
Salesforce also announced its plans to collaborate with IBM to establish an AI Innovation Center of Excellence, combining Salesforces AI capabilities with IBM’s deep AI and consulting expertise powered by IBM Consulting Advantage and watsonx AI capabilities to foster cutting-edge Agentforce-driven solutions for selected industries.
“Our plans to collaborate with Salesforce to establish an AI Innovation Center of Excellence in Riyadh marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards redefining business operations through AI. This is a testament to IBM’s commitment to empowering businesses through seamless digital transformations in-line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030,” commented Dave McCann, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting EMEA.
AI upskilling
Salesforce is committed to supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by equipping local talent with essential AI and technology skills. Through partnerships with government entities, academic institutions, NGOs, and industry leaders, Salesforce aims to prepare the Kingdom’s workforce for future-ready careers. By 2026, Salesforce plans to upskill 2,500 Saudi citizens, expanding to over 15,000 individuals by 2030, a press statement concluded.
