The UAE’s ambition to become a global digital powerhouse received a significant boost with Zoho Corporation’s launch of its first data centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Announced as part of the company’s AED 100 million investment commitment made in 2023, the move marks a strategic milestone not only for Zoho, but also for the UAE’s rapidly expanding cloud ecosystem.
By localising data storage and cloud infrastructure, Zoho is strengthening trust, performance, and compliance for businesses and government entities across the Emirates. The new facilities will host more than 100 Zoho cloud applications, including popular tools such as Zoho Mail, Zoho Books, Zoho CRM, and ManageEngine’s IT management solutions, enabling faster access, lower latency, and enhanced data sovereignty for users in the region.
Strengthening Zoho’s Long-Term Commitment to the Middle East
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Chennai, India, Zoho Corporation has steadily evolved into one of the world’s largest privately held SaaS companies. While it serves customers globally, Zoho considers the UAE one of its most important regional markets, a position reinforced by the opening of these data centres.
Since officially entering the UAE market in 2020, Zoho has pursued what it calls a “transnational localism” strategy a model that balances global scale with deep local integration. This approach focuses on:
- Local hiring and workforce development
- Product localisation, including Arabic language support
- Partnerships with regional system integrators and government bodies
- Compliance with national data protection and cybersecurity frameworks
According to Shailesh Davey, Co-founder and CEO of Zoho Corporation, local data centres are critical for enabling organisations to retain control over their data while aligning with the UAE’s National Cybersecurity Agenda. By ensuring that sensitive information remains within national borders, Zoho addresses a key concern for regulated industries and public-sector entities.
Rapid Growth in the UAE Market
Zoho’s bet on the UAE has already delivered impressive results. Over the past five years, the company has recorded a 60% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the country, translating into nearly 10-fold growth in its local customer base.
To support this expansion, Zoho has invested heavily in ecosystem development:
- AED 20 million in cloud credits distributed to over 3,500 SMEs
- AED 4.5 million allocated to digital skills training and upskilling programmes
- Dedicated initiatives to help startups and small businesses transition to cloud-based operations
For Indian users frequently searching terms like “Zoho login” or “Is Zoho an Indian company?”, the launch of UAE data centres reinforces Zoho’s unique position: an Indian-origin global SaaS provider that competes with US tech giants while expanding its physical footprint internationally.
Benefits for UAE Businesses and Government Entities
The presence of local data centres delivers immediate and tangible advantages to Zoho customers across the UAE.
1. Lower Latency and Faster Performance
Applications hosted within the country experience significantly reduced latency. This translates into faster load times, smoother workflows, and improved reliability—especially critical for sectors like finance, healthcare, logistics, and e-commerce.
2. Data Residency and Sovereignty
With data stored locally, organisations can comply more easily with the UAE’s Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL) and sector-specific regulations. This is particularly important for government, semi-government, and regulated private-sector entities.
3. Support for National Digital Goals
Zoho’s infrastructure supports key initiatives such as Dubai Vision 2030, Digital Government Strategy 2025, and Smart Dubai, enabling organisations to modernise operations without compromising compliance or security.
Key Zoho Applications Now Hosted in the UAE
With the new data centres operational, UAE customers can host a wide range of Zoho applications locally, including:
- Zoho Mail – Secure, ad-free business email for professional communication
- Zoho Books – Cloud accounting software for invoicing, expenses, tax compliance, and bank reconciliation
- Zoho People – HR management covering attendance, performance, and payroll workflows
- Zoho CRM – Sales and customer engagement platform
- ManageEngine – IT operations, endpoint security, and identity management tools
For SMEs and enterprises alike, local hosting enhances performance while ensuring business-critical data remains within national borders.
Why the UAE Is Emerging as a Data Centre Hub
The UAE has rapidly positioned itself as a preferred destination for hyperscale and enterprise data centres. Industry discussions on platforms like Reddit’s r/datacenter frequently highlight the country’s advantages.
Regulatory and Economic Advantages
- Strong government support and streamlined approval processes
- Tax incentives and investment-friendly policies
- Alignment with regional models like Saudi Arabia’s Cloud Computing Special Economic Zones (CCSEZ)
Infrastructure and Scalability
- Access to affordable power and high-quality connectivity
- Availability of land for scalable expansion
- Advanced cooling technologies suited to desert environments
By establishing facilities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Zoho now operates alongside global hyperscalers such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a regional cloud hub.
Enhanced Compliance and Security Standards
Zoho’s UAE data centres adhere to internationally recognised security and compliance frameworks, including:
- ISO 27001 – Information security management
- ISO 27017 – Cloud security controls
- CSA STAR Level 2 – Cloud security assurance
- Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) compliance
This robust compliance posture enables Zoho solutions to serve highly regulated industries while maintaining redundancy and uptime. For customers using Zoho CRM, Zoho Books, or ManageEngine, local infrastructure also reduces downtime risks and enhances business continuity.
Driving the UAE’s Digital Transformation
Zoho’s expansion comes at a time when cloud adoption in the UAE is accelerating rapidly. Organisations are increasingly moving away from fragmented systems toward integrated, cloud-first platforms.
With over 100 interconnected applications, Zoho enables businesses to:
- Break down data silos
- Gain real-time operational insights
- Automate workflows using no-code and low-code tools
- Maintain privacy without monetising customer data
Unlike many global competitors, Zoho has consistently positioned itself as a privacy-first technology company, publicly committing to never selling user data or relying on ad-based revenue models.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Zoho?
Zoho Corporation is a global SaaS company that builds cloud-based software for CRM, accounting, HR, productivity, collaboration, and IT management. It serves over 80 million users worldwide.
Is Zoho an Indian company?
Yes. Zoho is headquartered in Chennai, India, founded by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas. All core products are developed in-house, and the company pays taxes on its global income in India.
Is Zoho Mail free?
Zoho Mail offers a Forever Free plan for up to 5 users on one domain, with 5GB storage per user. The free plan excludes IMAP/POP access and has a 25MB attachment limit; paid plans unlock advanced features.
What is Zoho Books?
Zoho Books is cloud accounting software designed for small and medium businesses. It supports invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, tax compliance, and project accounting, and integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps.
What does Zoho do?
Zoho provides 50+ business applications covering sales, marketing, finance, HR, collaboration, and IT management offering affordable, privacy-focused alternatives to platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.
How do I log in to Zoho?
You can log in via zoho.com/mail/login.html using your username@zohomail.com or custom domain credentials. Zoho supports two-factor authentication (2FA) and mobile verification for security.
Why did Zoho choose UAE data centres?
Local data centres ensure low latency, regulatory compliance, and data sovereignty, making Zoho services more suitable for UAE businesses and government entities.
Final Thoughts
Zoho’s launch of data centres in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is more than an infrastructure upgrade it is a statement of long-term commitment to the UAE’s digital future. By combining global SaaS expertise with local compliance, performance, and privacy, Zoho is positioning itself as a key enabler of cloud adoption across the Middle East.
