Cognizant Technology Solutions to lead DAMAC's UAE IT transformation under three-year deal

UAE contract puts Cognizant at centre of DAMAC technology overhaul

Cognizant Technology Solutions is taking operational control of DAMAC Group’s IT and applications under a three-year strategic agreement that launches comprehensive modernization across the Emirati developer’s businesses. The deal covers property development, data centres, retail and fashion, hospitality, capital markets and logistics, and assigns Cognizant responsibility for digital and e-commerce platforms, CRM, core enterprise systems, data platforms and AI-led initiatives. DAMAC’s managing director, Ali Sajwani, says the alliance “represents a significant step in our journey to advance digital maturity and streamline how we deliver value through technology to our customers and stakeholders.”

Under the agreement Cognizant deploys dedicated teams and established frameworks to modernize legacy systems, integrate cloud and on-premises environments and strengthen cyber resilience and governance. The company embeds automation and operational-excellence practices aimed at improving service delivery and accelerating DAMAC’s ability to scale. The engagement positions AI and analytics as mechanisms to unlock insights from disparate data sources and to support data-led decision-making across sales, operations and customer experience functions.

Progress and returns are tied to measurable service-level metrics, user-satisfaction scores and operational KPIs that both parties will track throughout the three-year term. Cognizant frames the work as a continuous-optimization programme rather than a one-off migration, with ongoing iterations of automation, performance tuning and platform enhancements to align technology outcomes with DAMAC’s strategic priorities and long-term growth objectives.

Gulf real estate firms face mounting pressure to offer digital-first experiences and resilient back-end systems as customers demand seamless online services and developers expand into lifestyle and retail ventures. The project reinforces Cognizant’s regional stance, leveraging global delivery capabilities alongside local market expertise to address modernization, e-commerce scaling and compliance challenges specific to the Middle East.

Industry implications extend beyond DAMAC’s operations as the initiative demonstrates a template for outsourcing end-to-end IT stewardship to systems integrators. By coupling platform upgrades with governance, cyber hardening and KPIs, the agreement underscores how technology service providers are positioning themselves as strategic partners in industry digital transformation rather than solely as vendors of discrete projects.