News DeskRiyadh, Saudi Arabia – BARQ Systems has announced a strategic alliance with global technology provider iOCO and Egypt-based, cloud-native-first PortfolioTech, in a move aimed at accelerating digital transformation across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The partnership will focus on enabling government and private sector organizations to achieve mission-critical outcomes through advanced cloud solutions.
The three organizations said the alliance responds to growing regional demand for secure, scalable and citizen-focused digital services, as public institutions and enterprises face mounting pressure to modernize legacy infrastructure while maintaining high security and performance standards.
By combining BARQ Systems’ regional reach, iOCO’s international delivery capabilities, and PortfolioTech’s cloud-native expertise, the alliance will deliver tailored solutions designed to address fragmented digital strategies, infrastructure limitations and cybersecurity concerns. The partners emphasized cost competitiveness and localized industry knowledge as key differentiators.
“Public sector organizations across MENA face an urgent mandate: deliver modern, citizen-centric services while maintaining the highest security standards,” said Mahmoud Soliman, President and CEO of BARQ Systems. He added that the partnership blends global experience with regional insight to help governments modernize with confidence.
Dr. Azza El-Shinnawy, Co-Founding CEO of PortfolioTech and former Head of Egypt and North Africa at Amazon Web Services (AWS), said organizations today require more than just technology. “They need trusted partners who understand their unique challenges. Together, we are offering practical, secure, scalable and cost-competitive pathways to cloud adoption designed to deliver real-world impact,” she said.
Richard Vester, Chief Executive: Cloud at iOCO, highlighted the alliance’s focus on measurable results and human capital development. He said the collaboration with PortfolioTech and BARQ Systems is structured to support enterprises at every stage of their digital transformation journeys, ensuring solutions are both technically advanced and aligned with local needs.
As part of the agreement, iOCO will provide technical enablement and strategic investment through its operations in the United Kingdom and across MENA. The move is expected to strengthen regional access to hyperscale delivery capabilities and position the alliance as an emerging hub for cloud services, IT outsourcing and technology innovation.
The partners said the alliance ultimately aims to help governments and enterprises deliver faster, safer and more efficient digital services, supporting broader economic diversification and public sector modernization efforts across the region.
