Gary Knight, CEO of WOLF Qanawat, a London-based tech company which has developed an online community entertainment app for the Arab-speaking Middle Eastern audience, discusses why the Middle East is offering predictability, opportunity and a real appetite for global partnerships.
As economic uncertainty looms large in Western markets – from political instability in the US to rising regulatory headwinds – a new centre of gravity is emerging for forward-thinking businesses: the Middle East. At WOLF, a UK-founded tech company built around creating community-led online entertainment for Arabic speakers, we’ve experienced first-hand the region’s exceptional growth potential.
Since launching five years ago, WOLF has evolved from a niche audio entertainment platform into a thriving digital ecosystem with over four million engaged Arab users.
Much of that success can be attributed to our strategic focus on the MENA region – a move that, in today’s global climate, looks increasingly smart.
The Rise of a New Global Player
The Middle East – and particularly the Gulf states – is no longer a frontier market. Nations like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are making giant strides in diversifying their economies beyond oil, investing heavily in technology, finance, tourism, and infrastructure. Programmes such as Saudi Vision 2030 and the UAE’s National Digital Transformation Strategy are reshaping the regional business landscape, unlocking incredible opportunities for those willing to engage early and meaningfully.
While parts of the world retreat behind protectionist policies or grapple with divided political systems, Gulf nations are doubling down on long-term strategies designed to welcome international talent, ideas, and capital. Leadership in these regions is stable, forward-thinking, and crucially – aligned with pro-business reform.
Building a Business for the Region
At WOLF, we saw the potential early. By developing a platform that speaks directly to Arab communities – in language, culture, and monetisation – we’ve built more than just a user base. We’ve cultivated a dynamic, creator-led community. Our app offers our users unique opportunities to earn from their creativity while generating strong, consistent revenue for the business.
This success didn’t happen by chance. It came from recognising that the Middle East is not only demographically young and digitally native, but also increasingly affluent and hungry for new forms of entertainment and self-expression. More importantly, it came from understanding that to thrive in the region, you must build for it – not just sell to it.
A Strategic Gateway to the World
Another underappreciated advantage of the Middle East is its geographic and strategic positioning. Operating out of regional hubs like Dubai or Riyadh gives businesses proximity to fast-growing markets across Africa, South Asia, and Europe. These are regions teeming with untapped digital potential – and the Middle East is perfectly placed to be a gateway to them all.
This level of connectivity, combined with world-class infrastructure, state-backed investment vehicles, and increasingly progressive regulatory frameworks, makes the region a compelling choice for international expansion.
Predictability in an Unpredictable World
While global tech companies face mounting uncertainty in the West – from shifting regulations to economic slowdowns – the Middle East is providing a rare sense of predictability. The appetite for innovation is high, the pace of digital adoption is rapid, and governments are open to global partnerships that bring real value to their people.
The Middle East’s move away from oil is a strategic pivot, fuelled by massive investments and high-profile partnerships with tech giants in the West. Microsoft has already poured $1.5 billion into the country’s tech sector, particularly in G42, a flagship project poised to put the UAE on the map as a leader in artificial intelligence.
At WOLF, we’ve seen the potential of the region unfold in real time, and we believe we’re only at the beginning of what the Middle East has to offer.
Female empowerment
WOLF has always been committed to championing women in its workforce to help improve gender parity in technology – a typically male-dominated industry. As the success of the WOLF Qanawat app has grown, especially in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, so has the number of females in the company that help innovate, develop and improve the app’s offerings and capabilities.
The Time is Now
To the global business community, my message is simple: don’t overlook the Middle East. Don’t wait until it’s “safe” or “obvious.” The smart money is already moving – and not just in oil or real estate, but in apps, fintech, gaming, content, and communities.
The region is open, ambitious, and ready. The only question is: are you?
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