Kissflow Report: CIOs in MEA Embrace Low-Code and AI to Tackle IT Backlogs

2025 CIO Low-Code Strategy Pulse Report: Low-code adoption is no longer optional—it’s essential.

According to Kissflow’s 2025 CIO Low-Code Strategy Pulse Report, 86% of CIOs now consider low-code platforms a critical part of their technology strategy.

AI as a Catalyst for Speed & Scale

With talent shortages and rising IT backlogs, CIOs are turning to AI-powered low-code platforms to accelerate delivery.

• 55% of CIOs believe AI will dramatically increase the number of applications developed.

• AI capabilities ranked as the #1 differentiator when selecting a low-code platform (34%), ahead of cost of ownership and integration features.

Rise of Citizen Development

Innovation is no longer confined to IT teams. Business units are building their own applications with minimal IT support:

• Operations: 33%

• Finance: 25%

• Human Resources: 23%

This shift reflects a move toward decentralized, business-led innovation, enabling organizations to respond faster to market needs.

Measuring Impact

Cost efficiency remains a defining success metric:

• 57% of CIOs measure impact through reduced development costs.

• Top use cases include internal workflows (71%), legacy system modernization (48%), and ERP/CRM extensions (45%).

The CIO Perspective

“The traditional IT-only model can no longer keep pace with business demands,” said Prasanna Rajendran, VP at Kissflow. "In the Middle East, this trend is amplified by rapid digital transformation across government, finance, and energy. CIOs are looking for ways to scale innovation without adding to IT complexity or cost. Low-code and AI-enabled platforms are making that possible—by addressing backlogs, modernizing legacy systems, and empowering business users, while maintaining governance and security.”

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