SAP, the German-based enterprise software leader, is expanding its footprint in Pakistan, focusing on cloud, AI, and enterprise digitalisation to support the country’s growing IT and technology sector. Fahad Zahid, Interim Managing Director of SAP Pakistan, highlighted that the country’s young and highly skilled workforce provides a significant opportunity for growth. With startups, scale-ups, and IT exporters increasingly adopting digital-first models, SAP aims to provide scalable solutions to support governance, automation, and global-ready financial processes through platforms like GROW with SAP.
In a conversation with Business Recorder, Zahid shared that SAP is collaborating closely with IT exporters and system integrators in Pakistan to co-innovate on SAP Business Technology Platform. These efforts focus on developing AI-driven, automated, and data-centric solutions that can be deployed domestically and internationally. The strategy aligns with the rapid growth of Pakistan’s IT exports, which reached a record $3.8 billion in FY25, including a $386 million milestone in October, reflecting 17% year-over-year growth. SAP is also investing in workforce enablement programs such as the SAP Young Professionals Program and the Digital Skills Initiative, equipping young professionals with cloud and AI capabilities to meet rising industry demand.
Over the years, SAP’s role in Pakistan has evolved from ERP-focused deployments to delivering cloud-first, AI-powered solutions that embed intelligence across processes. Zahid explained that customers now seek business outcomes, agility, and integrated intelligence rather than traditional technology installations. With RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP, organisations can accelerate cloud adoption, optimise operations, and improve forecasting accuracy while reducing operational costs. SAP sees tremendous potential in Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, supported by a globally connected founder community, strong engineering talent, and a competitive cost structure. The company views Pakistan as poised to become a regional technology hub, with AI integrated into core processes including planning, forecasting, customer engagement, and citizen services.
SAP’s strategy also complements the government’s Digital Pakistan agenda. Zahid believes ongoing reforms will reshape the country’s digital landscape over the next five years, creating interoperable systems that form the foundation of a modern digital economy. While global technology players like Google have announced hardware-focused operations in Pakistan, SAP is prioritising enterprise intelligence and resilience, focusing on building the country’s digital backbone rather than replicating hardware investments. The company continues to enable secure cloud solutions for government digitalisation, support co-innovation with local enterprises, and scale AI and cloud skills programs, ensuring that Pakistan’s IT sector remains competitive, scalable, and well-positioned for regional and international growth.
SAP’s involvement in Pakistan’s digital transformation is already visible in mission-critical operations across utilities, manufacturing, and public-sector institutions. By embedding cloud and AI solutions into core business processes, SAP is strengthening the country’s technology infrastructure and providing the framework for sustainable innovation. Through its partnerships, skills programs, and technology solutions, SAP aims to support Pakistan’s journey toward a robust, globally competitive, and digitally empowered economy.
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