By: Bakinam Khaled
Microsoft has announced new changes to its leadership structure in the Middle East and Africa region, announcing the transition of Mirna Arif, General Manager for Microsoft Egypt since 2020, to a new regional role as General Manager for Emerging Markets (developing markets) in the Middle East and Africa.
Under this appointment, Arif will oversee Microsoft's activities and operations in several vital and strategic markets in the region, including Egypt, the Sultanate of Oman, the Kingdom of Bahrain, Kenya, the Kingdom of Morocco, and Nigeria, in addition to a group of other important markets where the company seeks to strengthen its presence. From this perspective, Arif will lead Microsoft's efforts to accelerate digital transformation, foster a culture of innovation, and expand inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities. This is part of an integrated strategic plan through which the company aims to expand its business reach and consolidate its regional position by developing emerging markets and enhancing their competitiveness to achieve its goals and aspirations at the regional and international levels.
This decision comes within the framework of Microsoft's ongoing commitment to developing its human capital and investing in qualified leadership talent to drive growth and enhance digital progress in the Middle East and Africa markets, keeping pace with the rapid economic and technological transformations across the region.
Mirna Arif has extensive professional experience spanning over twenty years in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa markets, acquiring a diverse portfolio of skills and knowledge. During her leadership of Microsoft Egypt, she played a pivotal role in developing the national digital landscape by accelerating the adoption of cloud solutions, expanding digital skills development programs, and deepening collaboration with government and private sector partners.
In this regard, Mirna Arif said, "It has been a great honor for me to be a contributor to advancing Egypt's digital journey. I look forward to transferring this expertise to support governments and organizations in emerging markets in the region, helping them maximize the potential of cloud computing and artificial intelligence to achieve sustainable economic and social progress."
Egypt is a key strategic market for Microsoft, given its significant potential and promising opportunities for sustainable growth. This is especially true in light of the increasing trend among institutions and government agencies in vital sectors toward adopting cloud solutions, artificial intelligence technologies, and modern digital innovations to foster creativity, develop services, and accelerate the pace of economic and social development.
Microsoft is proud of its close and ongoing partnership in supporting Egypt's digital transformation efforts, by supporting efforts aimed at raising productivity levels, improving citizen and customer experiences, and creating diverse opportunities across various sectors. The company also affirms its deep commitment to supporting Egypt's digital future and its commitment to enabling individuals and organizations to maximize the benefits of the latest technologies and technological innovations, in line with the country's ambitions towards an advanced knowledge economy.
It's worth noting that Microsoft is in the process of selecting a new General Manager for its branch in Egypt, as part of its ongoing efforts to consolidate its local presence and ensure effective leadership that supports its strategic priorities. The company affirms its commitment to continuing close cooperation with its partners and all stakeholders to ensure the pace of its digital transformation plans is maintained and to enable institutions and individuals to maximize the benefits of modern technological solutions. This will contribute to supporting economic development and strengthening Egypt's position as a leading country in the digital field.
