Core42 opens its sovereign cloud to more than 50 partners as government demand for local control accelerates

Core42 has launched a partner programme for software vendors, startups and resellers who want to build and sell on its sovereign enabled cloud. The launch comes as Gartner expects spending on sovereign cloud infrastructure to grow faster in the Middle East and Africa than anywhere else this year. The Core42 Partner Program starts with more than 50 partners. It runs on an environment that already supports more than 47 Abu Dhabi government entities.

“Government and regulated industries need greater choice in the cloud and AI solutions available to them, while retaining clarity over where their data sits, how their environment is governed and which controls apply to each workload,” said Ahmed Labib, VP Partnerships and Ecosystems at Core42.

Core42 is selling compliance as much as compute

The programme has two tracks. The Technology Partner track lets independent software vendors and startups bring their products to Core42 Sovereign Enabled Public Cloud and build with Microsoft Azure services. Core42 Insight handles the data residency, governance, monitoring and security controls around those deployments. Core42 teams work directly with partners on architecture, compliance documentation and go-to-market. The Channel Partner track lets resellers and solution providers sell Core42 cloud and AI products to customers with specific requirements on data residency, control, security and compliance. Those partners get sales training, technical expertise and go-to-market support.

“The Core42 Partner Program brings more technology companies into our ecosystem and helps them build around those requirements,” Labib said.

Depending on their track and eligibility, partners can work with Core42 sales teams on qualified opportunities and get architecture reviews and sandbox environments. Selected partners may also receive Compass token credits, time with Core42 solution architects, joint marketing and co-investment funding for priority customer projects. Channel partners can sell eligible Core42 products through Microsoft Azure Marketplace. Together, these incentives target the costliest step for a smaller software company selling into government: showing that a product meets residency and governance rules before a contract is signed.

Sovereignty here still runs on Azure

Core42 Sovereign Enabled Public Cloud combines Microsoft Azure services with UAE-specific controls managed through Core42 Insight. The programme builds on the company's strategic collaboration with Microsoft for sovereign cloud delivery. That relationship was formalised in March 2025 in an agreement with the Abu Dhabi government. According to DatacenterDynamics, the agreement was set to support 11 million daily digital interactions, and the government aimed to deploy more than 200 AI-driven solutions across public services.

“Core42's Sovereign Public Cloud enables government entities to maintain data sovereignty while harnessing hyperscale innovation,” said Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, at the time of that agreement.

The model puts local jurisdiction and controls on top of a global hyperscaler's services. Partners get tools they already know, and customers keep oversight of where their data sits. Joining the programme does not grant regulatory clearance. Core42 states that whether a solution is suitable depends on its workload classification, the customer's requirements and the regulations that apply. Core42 helps partners identify the technical and governance controls they need, but partners and customers remain responsible for getting any regulatory or sector-specific approvals.

Governments are driving a worldwide buying wave

“Organisations outside the US and China invest more in sovereign cloud IaaS to gain digital and technological independence,” said Rene Buest, Senior Director Analyst at Gartner, in the firm's February 2026 forecast. Gartner expects worldwide sovereign cloud IaaS spending to reach $80.4 billion in 2026, up 35.6% from $59.3 billion in 2025, and $110.6 billion in 2027. It names governments as the main buyers, followed by regulated industries and critical infrastructure operators in energy, utilities and telecommunications.

Growth is fastest outside the largest markets. Gartner forecasts 89% growth in the Middle East and Africa, 87% in mature Asia Pacific and 83% in Europe, against about 20% in China and North America. The bases are very different: China accounts for $47.4 billion and North America for $16.4 billion, while Gartner puts the Middle East and North Africa at $250 million. The firm also expects 20% of current workloads to move from global to local cloud providers. That gives sovereign operators in every region the same problem to solve: building a catalogue of software broad enough that buyers do not have to give up choice for control.

“For customers, that means access to a broader range of solutions. For our partners, it creates new opportunities to build, sell and grow in the UAE,” Labib said.

Joining takes three steps. Partners apply, describing how they want to build or sell with Core42. They then onboard with training and support, and finally launch solutions, register opportunities and scale. Applications are open now through Core42's website.