AI adoption in the MEA region is gaining momentum, with a growing number of startups and established companies embracing the technology. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are leading the charge, investing heavily in AI research and development. Research has found that AI could contribute US$320bn to the MENA region's economy by 2030, with US$135.2bn in Saudi Arabia alone, while the UAE plans to invest US$24.7bn in Gen AI and robotics technology by 2025.
In Africa, countries like Egypt, Nigeria, and Kenya are seeing a surge in AI startups focusing on healthcare, agriculture, and financial services. However, challenges persist, including limited access to quality data, shortage of skilled AI professionals and inadequate infrastructure in some areas.
Despite these obstacles, governments and private sectors are increasingly recognising AI's potential to address regional challenges. Initiatives like the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi and Africa's AI research community, Deep Learning Indaba, are nurturing local talent and fostering innovation in the MEA AI ecosystem.
This week, AI Magazine highlights the Top 10 AI Companies in the MEA region.
10: Infoarc
Industry: Retail
Founded: 2021
Headquarters: Dubai
Infoarc specialises in data and AI solutions aimed at delivering actionable business insights. The company empowers businesses to excel in omni-channel environments by leveraging advanced machine learning and data analytics technologies. Infoarc's offerings include retail image recognition and eCommerce analytics, which help clients optimise their operations and enhance customer experiences. By focusing on measurable business drivers, Infoarc enables retailers and manufacturers to make informed decisions that drive growth and improve efficiency across various sales channels.
9: Clevva
Industry: AI chatbots
Founded: 2011
Co-CEOs: Dayne Falkenberg, Ryan Falkenberg
Headquarters: South Africa
Clevva is a pioneering technology company dedicated to developing innovative solutions that automate rule-bound tasks, freeing up human workers to focus on more meaningful interactions. Its flagship product, the Clevva Virtual Agent, is designed to handle complex customer queries across various channels, including voice and email, with the expertise of a human professional.
Founded by Ryan Falkenberg, Dayne Falkenberg and Mark Pedersen, Clevva has achieved significant milestones in the AI and automation space. The company's Virtual Agent technology has been enhanced with generative AI capabilities, improving its ability to understand and respond to customer inquiries.
8: Lyve
Industry: Logistics
Founded: 2016
CEO: Hassan Hallas
Headquarters: Dubai
Lyve is a technology company based in Abu Dhabi, UAE, specialising in integrated B2B SaaS solutions that enhance logistics and e-commerce operations for businesses through AI. Founded in 2016, Lyve focuses on digitising the entire customer journey, from order management to payment processing and delivery.
The company operates across 22 countries, providing a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline operations and improve customer experiences. Recognised as a Future 100 company in the UAE, Lyve aims to empower businesses of all sizes by offering innovative solutions.
7: Yanzo
Industry: Convenience
Founded: 2016
CEO: Mohammed Jaffar
Headquarters: Abu Dhabi
Yanzo is an AI-powered personal assistant service founded in 2016, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It caters to users in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, offering a wide range of services including arranging deliveries, purchasing items and managing home and pet care tasks. Users can interact with Yanzo through text messages, making it a convenient option for those looking to delegate daily chores and enhance their lifestyle. With numerous positive reviews, Yanzo aims to simplify life for its clients by handling various requests efficiently, allowing them to focus on enjoying their time.
6: Digital Energy
Industry: Energy
Founded: 2016
CEO: Carsten Sonne-Schmidt
Headquarters: Dubai
Digital Energy, established in 2016, addresses industrial inefficiencies through AI-driven solutions. The company tackles challenges like poor asset utilisation and increased emissions by developing sophisticated AI models tailored to industrial supply chains. Its ‘infused AI architecture’ integrates these models, breaking down silos and enhancing efficiency.
Digital Energy’s team leads sustainable transformation in global industrial operations, demonstrating real-world applications and measurable impacts. The company is committed to fostering smarter, safer and more sustainable industrial practices worldwide through continuous innovation and client collaboration.
5: Aerobotics
Industry: Agritech
Founded: 2014
CEO: James Paterson
Headquarters: South Africa
Aerobotics is a pioneering agri-tech company revolutionising the agricultural industry through intelligent tools powered by artificial intelligence. Founded in 2014 by James Paterson and Benji Meltzer, the company has grown from its roots in Cape Town to serve customers across 18+ countries.
Aerobotics utilises drones and AI to process aerial imagery, providing high-resolution insights for every plant that are invisible to the naked eye. By offering precision data analytics and crop health monitoring, Aerobotics enables farmers to optimise yields, manage resources efficiently and make data-driven decisions.
4: Sarwa
Industry: Finance
Founded: 2017
CEO: Mark Chahwan
Headquarters: Dubai
Founded in 2017, Sarwa is an innovative AI-driven online investment platform based in the UAE, designed to simplify investing for the Middle Eastern market. It offers a robo-advisory service that allows users to create diversified portfolios of low-cost index funds tailored to their risk profiles.
Sarwa's user-friendly interface caters primarily to young professionals and first-time investors, providing features like automated rebalancing and cryptocurrency trading. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Sarwa aims to democratise access to financial tools and empower individuals to achieve their investment goals.
3: Avey
Industry: Healthcare
Founded: 2017
CEO: Mohammad Hammoud
Headquarters: Qatar
Founded in 2017 in Qatar, Avey is an innovative AI-powered healthcare mobile app designed to enhance self-diagnosis. The app utilises a sophisticated algorithm to assess user symptoms and provide personalised health insights with a remarkable accuracy rate of 93%.
Avey not only enables users to check their symptoms but also facilitates connections with healthcare professionals for consultations and prescriptions. With over 1.1 million downloads across 175 countries, Avey aims to revolutionise healthcare accessibility and empower individuals in managing their health effectively.
2: DevisionX
Industry: Manufacturing
Founded: 2016
CEO: Mahmoud Abdelaziz
Headquarters: Egypt
DevisionX is a forward-thinking technology company specialising in AI-powered manufacturing solutions. Founded by a team of experienced professionals in 2016 in Cairo, Egypt, the company focuses on delivering high-quality products that enhance operational efficiency for businesses across various sectors.
With a commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technologies, DevisionX aims to empower organisations to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. Their mission emphasises collaboration, creativity, and customer-centric approaches, ensuring that clients receive tailored solutions that meet their unique needs. As a result, DevisionX has established itself as a trusted partner in the tech industry, driving growth and innovation for its clients.
1: Intelmatix
Industry: Data Intelligence
Founded: 2021
CEO: Anas Alfaris
Headquarters: Saudi Arabia
Founded in 2021 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by MIT graduates, Intelmatix is a technology company focused on providing an Enterprise Decision Intelligence platform known as EDIX.
Founded to address the challenges organisations face with isolated functions and complex data tools, Intelmatix aims to make artificial intelligence accessible and actionable for enterprises of all sizes. The platform integrates diverse data sources to enhance decision-making processes, enabling businesses to optimise performance and drive growth.
With a team of experts in deep-tech and business, Intelmatix is committed to democratising AI technology, allowing every employee – from executives to frontline workers – to leverage data for better outcomes.
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