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The New Infrastructure Race Is an Integration Race
With more than 20 years of experience spanning technology, AI, digital infrastructure, mobility and public affairs, Sarah Raafat advises organizations navigating transformation, innovation and growth across MENA. She serves as a Director at APCO based in Dubai, where she leads strategic communications for the technology sector across MENA and serves as deputy lead for private sector strategic communications in the region.
No one is perfect. There is always room for improvement.
Sarah is a trusted adviser to technology, innovation and business leaders, providing counsel on corporate reputation, executive positioning, thought leadership and stakeholder engagement. Her work sits at the intersection of technology, policy and business, helping organizations communicate complex innovations and build trust among key audiences across the region.
At APCO, Sarah has supported some of the region’s most ambitious technology initiatives, including advising the Advanced Technology Research Council on global communications campaigns for the launch of Falcon, one of the world’s leading open-source large language models. She has also supported the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League, a pioneering effort at the convergence of AI, autonomous systems and advanced mobility as well as the launch of Zoom’s data center in Saudi Arabia.
Her experience spans artificial intelligence, cloud and digital infrastructure, data centers, enterprise technology, technology-enabled commerce and smart mobility. She has advised global technology leaders such as Zoom, Qualcomm and Accenture on strategic communications and executive visibility programs while helping organizations communicate the value of emerging technologies, digital transformation and critical infrastructure investments to governments, businesses and wider society.
Sarah also brings extensive experience supporting the reputation and stakeholder engagement strategies of digital-first and technology-enabled businesses operating across e-commerce, logistics and mobility. Her work has included advising organizations that are reshaping how people move, shop and connect, providing strategic counsel during periods of growth, market expansion and increased public scrutiny.
Prior to APCO, Sarah held senior communications and public affairs roles with Hill & Knowlton, RTI International, Emaar Properties, Empower Energy Solutions and the Danish International Development Assistance, delivering integrated communications programs across the public and private sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from The American University in Cairo and has completed executive education in Public Policy Analysis from the London School of Economics and Political Science and Design Thinking and Innovation from Harvard Business School Online.