Sovereign Cloud Deployment Choices in the Gulf - How Global and Local Providers Are Balancing Scale, Control, and Trust in the Region

This IDC Perspective analyzes how sovereign cloud deployment in the Gulf region are evolving, driven by national ambitions, regulatory demands, and the need for trust and operational control. It explores the spectrum of deployment models from shared public to air-gapped private clouds, and highlights how global and local providers are balancing scale, compliance, and transparency. The report offers practical guidance for technology buyers navigating sovereignty, emphasizing control, evidence, accountability, and adaptable governance in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape."Every sovereign cloud deployment is a balance between national assurance and operational reality. The question is no longer who builds it, but who governs it and how that governance is exercised, verified, and sustained over time." - Shahin Hashim, associate research director, digital infrastructure strategies, EMEA, IDC