Only 20% of UAE partners can currently deliver AI-enabled networking, signalling urgent capability gaps despite rising demand.
The UAE channel ecosystem faces a critical readiness gap in AI-driven networking, with just 20% of partners currently capable of delivering advanced, AI-integrated solutions — below the global average of 26%. According to a new study by Westcon-Comstor, although customer demand for AI-ready networking is accelerating, most partners lack the technical maturity, design capability and advisory skillsets to support this transformative shift.
While nearly half (48%) of UAE partners are actively developing their AI capabilities, another 28% are only “exploring” AI while continuing with traditional networking models — the highest among surveyed countries, suggesting the region still lags in adoption readiness. Only a minority of UAE partners are engaged in advanced transformation areas like intent-based networking (39%) and zero-trust architecture (34%), despite growing regional focus on security, automation and intelligent infrastructure.
Less than a third (30%) of UAE partners believe their customers’ current network infrastructure is ready to support AI workloads, revealing a widening gap between enterprise expectations and partner capabilities. Integration challenges, security concerns, skill shortages and confusion around technology choices are cited as major obstacles — but also seen as opportunities for strategic advisory and managed services.
“Our research suggests UAE-based partners are slightly less confident in their AI maturity and readiness than their global peers, but this can change and I believe it will,” said Rakesh Parbhoo, Executive Vice President, Middle East and Africa (MEA) at Westcon-Comstor. “With the right strategy, they can build the capabilities to meet customer needs and succeed with AI-led networking.”
Partners see strong growth potential in the coming 12–18 months, especially in AI-enhanced network security analytics (44%), autonomous/self-healing networks (40%), AI-powered observability and diagnostics (36%), and edge-to-cloud data routing and optimisation (34%).
“AI is changing the game, and partners have a rare window to step up as true strategic advisors,” said Patrick Aronson, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Asia-Pacific at Westcon-Comstor. “Customers are hungry for intelligent, adaptive networks. The partners who lean in now, build capability and get closer to the customer will be the ones leading the next wave of growth.”
The research, part of Westcon-Comstor’s Future Ready initiative, underscores a generational shift in channel capabilities and highlights the need for upskilling, strategic advisory roles, and AI-enabled services to lead the next phase of network transformation in the UAE.
