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“Our focus is very clear – we want to make AI work for our customers.” – Abdelilah Nejjari, Managing Director Cisco Gulf and Levant

Abdelilah Nejjari, Managing Director – Gulf Region at Cisco, spoke to CNME Editor Mark Forker, in which he highlighted their three-pillar strategy for success in enabling AI-ready datacentres, future workspaces, and delivering digital resilience for their customers, whilst he also reinforced Cisco’s commitment to making AI work for their customers.

Sabine Salloum, Partner Business Manager – South Gulf, Commvault

Accelerating change means removing barriers—not just identifying them. In tech, women are still underrepresented in core functions like sales and engineering, with the gap widening at leadership levels. Too often, diversity becomes a priority only when it’s already a problem. True progress requires intentional hiring, clear growth paths, and mentorship that empowers women to rise into leadership. When we create space for more women in strategic and technical roles, we build real role models—and help the next generation believe their place in tech isn’t just possible, it’s expected. 

Rania Wehbi, IBM Business Unit Leader, Gulf Business Machines (GBM)

To close the gender gap in tech, the industry must take decisive action. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented, particularly in leadership and decision-making roles, with unconscious bias continuing to influence hiring and promotion. To drive real change, organisations must implement measurable policies such as gender diversity targets in leadership and pay equity audits, ensuring accountability.

Nabila Ayatti, Dell Marketing Manager – Gulf, Levant & Pakistan, Mindware

“To effectively close the gender gap in the tech industry, we must take decisive action by enhancing female leadership, adopting inclusive hiring practices, and investing in comprehensive training programs tailored for women. Advocating for equal pay and fostering a culture of work-life balance are not just important—they are essential to promoting equity. Furthermore, mentorship initiatives through Women in Technology events and strategic partnerships with educational institutions can empower and inspire the next generation of female tech leaders. By committing to these transformative actions, we can build a tech industry that truly reflects diversity and equality.”

Fadia Ayad, Senior Director & Country Manager, UAE & Gulf, F5 

Organisations must create a more welcoming space for women interested in IT roles, including ensuring that recruitment processes are free from unconscious bias, getting the right processes in place to ensure women feel comfortable in their role, and encouraging women to pursue new roles, including promotions, within the organisation. 

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