In conversation with Channel Post MEA, Ilyas Mohammed, COO at AmiViz, discusses the market for cybersecurity in the Middle East and how his company is poised to be a $200 million organisation in the coming few years
How would you describe the current market conditions for your business in the region?
The cybersecurity landscape in the Middle East is rapidly evolving, driven by a multitude of factors. These include a surge in cyber threats targeting both government and enterprises, a swift digital transformation across key sectors like government, finance, healthcare, and energy, updated cybersecurity regulations aimed at bolstering security, and substantial investments in cyber defense measures. This dynamic and expanding cybersecurity market in the Middle East offers a wealth of opportunities for companies and service providers to contribute to fortifying the region’s cybersecurity posture, making it an attractive prospect for potential investors.
How do you see the distribution landscape evolving in the region?
The distribution landscape in the Middle East is undergoing a significant shift, becoming more dynamic and digitalised as companies respond to changing market dynamics. In this evolving landscape, the keys to success are collaboration, innovation, and above all, agility. As a value-added distributor, it is crucial to stay ahead of the curve. This entails continuous investment in cutting-edge technology, the development and honing of specialised skill sets, and a deep understanding of both current and future customer needs. By anticipating market trends, emerging technologies, and evolving customer preferences, we can proactively provide innovative solutions and personalised services that add significant value to our customers’ businesses, ensuring their success in an ever-changing landscape.
What are your plans for Africa, and which other countries are you looking to grow beyond Egypt?
Recognising the growing demand in Egypt, we are strategically expanding our presence there. By aligning with the needs and preferences of our vendors; we are poised to extend our reach and enhance our footprint in Africa. This expansion underscores our commitment to meeting market demand, fostering strong partnerships, and delivering value-added solutions to customers. With Egypt as a cornerstone of our African strategy, we are well-positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities, drive sustainable growth, and solidify our position as a leading cybersecurity distributor in the region.
Which are the new technologies you plan to introduce in the region?
We have a long-standing commitment to introducing cutting-edge technology to our valued customers in the Middle East region, while we maintain our focus on cybersecurity technologies, recognising their critical importance in today’s digital landscape, we are also expanding our portfolio to include cloud and AI-based solutions.
Adding cloud technology will empower our customers to leverage scalable, flexible, and cost-effective computing resources to drive digital transformation and agility in their businesses. Furthermore, AI-based technologies will enable them to harness the power of data analytics, machine learning, and automation to gain actionable insights, enhance decision-making, and optimise processes across their operations.
By continuously evolving and diversifying our portfolio, we remain at the forefront of technological innovation, poised to address our customers’ evolving needs and challenges.
What revenue are you expecting to achieve in the current financial year?
As our current financial year draws to a close in June with an anticipated revenue of $120 million, we are poised for substantial growth. With a clear vision and strategic roadmap, we aim to elevate our revenue to $200 million within the next few years. This ambitious goal drives our commitment to innovation, customer-centric solutions, and expanding market reach. By leveraging emerging technologies, nurturing strategic partnerships, and continuously enhancing our offerings, we are confident in our ability to unlock new opportunities, drive sustainable growth, and exceed expectations in the dynamic landscape of value-added distribution.
How do you intend to grow your company in the next 12 months?
With an aggressive strategy to achieve our company’s vision of reaching $200 million in the next couple of years, we are committed to enhancing our offerings by acquiring new technologies and expanding our presence across the region. Our focus remains on capitalising on the growth opportunities in the Gulf region while nurturing and growing our existing vendor partnerships by leveraging our strengths, fostering strategic alliances, and staying ahead of market trends, and we are poised to drive sustainable growth, deliver value to our customers, and achieve our ambitious targets in alignment with our corporate vision.
