Samer Abu-Ltaif Appointed as the President of Microsoft EMEA

Microsoft announced that Samer Abu-Ltaif will take over as President of Microsoft Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), succeeding Ralph Haupter, who will assume the leadership role of the newly formed organization of Microsoft Small, Medium Enterprises, and Channel Partner.

It is experience in digital transformation and collaboration that Abu-Ltaif expects as he assumes the role, to enhance Microsoft's presence in the EMEA region. He will cover more than 120 markets as he helps customers and partners tap into the transformative power of AI, drive innovation, and bring long-term economic growth across the region.

He brings considerable experience to the role, most recently serving as President of Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMA). Under his leadership, Abu-Ltaif further strengthened Microsoft's partnerships with key service providers and expanded the regional presence, delivering greater value to customers and partners across three continents.

During his two decades at Microsoft, Abu-Ltaif has led transformational initiatives that have positioned the company as a critical partner in helping to advance regional goals. He has successfully launched Microsoft's first data center in Africa, based in South Africa, and has established data centers in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Poland. He also oversaw the creation of a new Global Engineering Development Center in the UAE, planned data center regions in Greece and Saudi Arabia, and an upcoming facility in Kenya. Additionally, he played a crucial role in opening the Microsoft Africa Development Center in Kenya and led the company’s $1.5 billion investment in Abu Dhabi's G42, designed to accelerate AI innovation on a global scale.

Abu-Ltaif has been a strong advocate for workforce development, supporting skills training programs such as Tomoh, AthkaU, TechDev, the Africa Development Bank partnership, Digital Heartbeat, and Tawar w Ghayar. These initiatives have equipped millions across the region with the skills and opportunities required to thrive in the digital age. His unwavering commitment to sustainability has also resulted in significant collaborations with governments, businesses, and startups, advancing the region’s sustainability objectives and driving meaningful change.

Based in the UAE, Abu-Ltaif has held several senior leadership roles at Microsoft, including President for the Middle East and Africa and Regional Director for the Gulf region. He holds an MBA in Leadership and Sustainability, along with a degree in Computer Science, from the American University of Beirut.