Cognizant is expanding its footprint in the Middle East while deepening its global enterprise technology credentials, with a partnership in the UAE and continued collaboration with SAP on AI-driven ERP transformation.
The IT services firm has signed a three-year strategic agreement with Dubai-based DAMAC Group to manage and enhance the conglomerate’s IT infrastructure and application services. The deal positions Cognizant as a core technology partner for DAMAC as it looks to modernize operations and raise the bar on digital experiences across its diverse businesses, which span real estate, data centers, hospitality, retail, capital markets and logistics.
Under the agreement, Cognizant will oversee a broad range of services, including digital and ecommerce platforms, CRM, core enterprise systems, data platforms and AI-led initiatives. The focus is on streamlining operations, embedding automation and building a more scalable, resilient technology foundation aligned with DAMAC’s long-term growth plans. Ali Sajwani, Managing Director of DAMAC Group, stated:
“Our technology-driven focus enables us to exceed customer expectations and achieve excellence at every touchpoint, while strategic collaborations fuel innovation and ensure our operations remain future-ready. This alliance represents a significant step in our journey to advance digital maturity and streamline how we deliver value through technology to our customers and stakeholders across the organization.”
The partnership comes as companies across the Middle East accelerate their shift toward digital-first business models, increasing pressure on real estate and infrastructure players to modernize legacy systems and meet growing customer expectations. Cognizant is leaning on a mix of global delivery capabilities and regional expertise to address those demands, with an emphasis on data-driven decision-making and consistent service delivery.
Maged Wassim, Head of Cognizant Middle East, stated:
“This agreement underscores our deep expertise and commitment to delivering innovative, reliable solutions tailored to complex, multi-industry environments. Working closely with DAMAC, we aim to drive sustained value, enable operational excellence, and accelerate their digital ambitions across the region.”
Beyond the DAMAC engagement, Cognizant is also highlighting how its long-standing partnership with SAP is shaping enterprise transformation globally, particularly as organizations push to embed AI and automation deeper into their ERP environments.
How Cognizant and SAP Aim to Turn ERP Modernization Into a CX Advantage
Cognizant executives and SAP partner leaders have outlined an approach built around cloud enablement, intelligent automation and customer-centric design. The strategy centers on SAP S/4HANA Cloud, SAP Business Technology Platform and clean-core principles, supported by governance tools such as SAP Cloud ALM to help reduce migration risk and keep systems future ready.
A key part of the model is the integration of SAP Business AI and Joule agents into ERP workflows, alongside Cognizant’s own automation frameworks. The goal is to improve accuracy, speed up decision-making and allow teams to focus on higher-value work.
Cognizant’s status as a RISE with SAP Validated Partner gives enterprises a path to adopt multi-cloud architectures and AI-driven workflows with confidence. The company points to its role in complex global programs, including an engagement with Mead Johnson Nutrition, as evidence of how tight coordination and integrated planning can deliver results at scale. As Chakravarthy Aravapalli, Regional CIO, EU and APJ, Mead Johnson Nutrition, put it: