According to the 2025 CIO Low-Code Strategy Pulse Report by Kissflow, chief information officers worldwide are increasingly turning to low-code platforms to expedite application development. Currently, 86 percent of CIOs consider these tools vital for their technological frameworks.
The report emphasizes a rising dependence on artificial intelligence to enhance both the speed and scale of development, particularly as organizations encounter talent shortages and escalating IT backlogs. More than half of the CIOs surveyed (55 percent) believe AI will significantly boost the volume of applications produced.
Furthermore, the study reveals a notable increase in citizen development, with departments such as operations (33 percent), finance (25 percent), and human resources (23 percent) building their own applications with limited IT assistance. This trend illustrates a move towards decentralized innovation led by business units.
Cost efficiency is also a significant factor, with 57 percent of CIOs evaluating the impact of low-code platforms based on lower development expenses. When it comes to choosing platforms, AI features were identified as the most vital differentiator (34 percent), surpassing total cost of ownership and system integration capabilities.
“The findings are clear: the conventional IT-only model for application development is no longer sufficient to meet business demands,” commented Prasanna Rajendran, VP at Kissflow. “In the Middle East, this trend is further accelerated by swift digital transformation in sectors like government, finance, and energy. CIOs are seeking methods to foster innovation without complicating IT infrastructures or incurring additional costs.”
“Platforms that integrate low-code and AI are allowing businesses to tackle application backlogs, modernize outdated systems, and empower non-technical users, all while ensuring governance and security remain intact.”
Key factors driving low-code adoption include pressure from executives (27 percent) and the burden of extensive application backlogs (26 percent).
Common applications for low-code include the development of internal tools such as workflows and approval processes (71 percent), modernization of legacy systems (48 percent), and enhancing functionality of ERP or CRM systems (45 percent).
Growth of Low-code in the MEA Region
In the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, the uptake of low-code technology is rapidly increasing, especially in areas like government, banking, financial services, insurance, and energy—sectors where agility and compliance with regulations are paramount.
Integrating AI allows for quicker application rollouts among distributed teams, although challenges with governance and integration persist in regulated sectors.
“With AI and low-code solutions, organizations in the region can overcome traditional development hurdles and empower business teams to innovate with confidence,” stated Suresh Sambandam, CEO of Kissflow.
Founded in 2004, Kissflow offers a low-code/no-code platform that enables non-technical process owners, referred to as citizen developers, to automate workflows and processes efficiently.
Various global organizations, including Pepsi, McDermott, and Motorola Solutions, utilize this platform, which has been recognized as a leader in the industry by distinguished entities such as Gartner, Forrester, and G2.
Read: Building trust in AI — The UAE’s journey to a digital cognitive future