At the recent Zoholics event in Bahrain, Zoho Corporation unveiled a major $500 million investment into the Kingdom — one of the largest tech investments in the Gulf this year. This announcement follows a prior partnership in Dubai with areeba valued at $5 million, reinforcing Zoho’s rapid expansion across the Middle East.
Saran Paramsivam, Zoho’s Regional Director for MEA, emphasized the company’s dedication to strengthening Bahrain’s economy. “Opening a dedicated office and investing in local talent reflects our philosophy of ‘transnational localism’ — combining global innovation with deep respect for local strengths,” Paramsivam explained. The new local presence aims to boost Bahrain’s digital ecosystem while supporting national efforts to diversify the economy.
A key part of the investment includes launching a state-of-the-art data centre in Bahrain, enabling organizations in the Kingdom to benefit from data sovereignty and improved service performance across the Gulf region. Zoho also recently partnered with The Collective Hub, Bahrain’s leading co-working space, to further support local startups and entrepreneurs.
New Zoho customers in Bahrain can access $2,500 in cloud application credits for one year under the Zoho for Startups program, designed to accelerate digital transformation for local businesses.
Following a remarkable 28% revenue growth and a 22% expansion in its partner network in Bahrain, Zoho will officially open its first office in the country. Local partners such as ICIGAI, BGA Accounting and Consulting, Syskode Technologies, and Elyaa Audit and Consulting have also boosted their revenue contributions by 19% in the past year.
Among Zoho’s most popular products in Bahrain are Zoho Books (a VAT-compliant accounting solution), Zoho People (HR management), Zoho One (business operating system), Zoho Creator (low-code platform), and Zoho CRM. Additionally, customers can now request early access to Zoho Payroll, which has been customized for regional requirements.
Zoho also introduced Ulaa Enterprise, a secure, privacy-focused web browser with integrated AI assistant Zia, recently launched at Zoholics in the US. Designed to help IT teams manage employee internet access and enhance cybersecurity, Ulaa Enterprise addresses rising cyber threats across the MENA region. Paramsivam highlighted, “Investing in paid browsers as part of security strategies is becoming essential to protect data and maintain customer trust.”
This significant investment underscores Zoho’s confidence in the Middle East’s digital transformation journey. Bahrain’s Digital First initiative, aligned with its Economic Recovery plan and the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, aims to position the country as a leader in the regional digital economy. Zoho’s expanding footprint and supportive startup programs, such as the freemium access through The Collective Hub, provide local businesses with an accessible path to leverage cloud technology and scale efficiently.
