Qualcomm has appointed longtime executive Wassim Chourbaji as President of EMEA, succeeding Enrico Salvatori and reinforcing its commitment to regional growth, innovation and AI-driven technologies.
WEBDESK – ZAINAB MIRAJ – SHARJAH NEWS
Leadership Transition Marks New Chapter for Qualcomm in EMEA
Global technology company Qualcomm Incorporated has announced the appointment of Wassim Chourbaji as Senior Vice President and President of its Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operations, effective immediately. The leadership change reflects the company’s continued focus on expanding its presence across the region while strengthening its position in artificial intelligence, advanced computing and next-generation connectivity.
Chourbaji will now oversee Qualcomm’s regional strategy, business operations and partnerships across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, guiding the company’s long-term growth plans in one of its most important global markets.
Experienced Qualcomm Executive Takes on Expanded Role
Chourbaji brings more than 20 years of experience within Qualcomm, having held several senior leadership positions throughout his career.
Before his latest appointment, he served as President of Qualcomm Middle East and Africa (MEA) while also leading the company’s government affairs operations across the wider EMEA region. During his tenure, he worked closely with government bodies, industry partners and technology stakeholders to support innovation, strengthen regional partnerships and expand Qualcomm’s business footprint.
His extensive experience across commercial operations, public policy and strategic planning is expected to play a key role as Qualcomm continues investing in emerging technologies and expanding collaborations throughout the region.
Enrico Salvatori Begins Leadership Transition
The announcement also signals the beginning of a planned transition for Enrico Salvatori, who has led Qualcomm’s EMEA business for more than two decades.
Salvatori will remain with the company as Chairman and continue leading Qualcomm’s automotive business across the region until his retirement in June 2027, concluding an impressive 25-year career with the company.
Throughout his leadership, Salvatori helped establish Qualcomm as a leading technology partner across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He played a significant role in expanding the company’s presence into new industries while building strong relationships with governments, mobile operators, automotive manufacturers and enterprise customers.
Qualcomm Reaffirms Commitment to the Region
Commenting on the appointment, Akash Palkhiwala, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Qualcomm Incorporated, highlighted the strategic importance of the EMEA region to the company’s future growth.
He said Qualcomm remains committed to investing in innovation and long-term development across the region and expressed confidence that Chourbaji’s leadership, strategic vision and ability to build meaningful partnerships will help accelerate the company’s business objectives.
Palkhiwala also thanked Salvatori for his outstanding contributions over the past 25 years, acknowledging his role in building a strong regional organisation and expanding Qualcomm’s influence across multiple industries.
Driving Innovation in the AI Era
Qualcomm has increasingly positioned itself as a leader in the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence era, developing technologies that extend beyond smartphones into sectors including automotive, personal computing, industrial automation and smart infrastructure.
Its semiconductor platforms integrate advanced AI capabilities, high-performance processing and energy-efficient connectivity, enabling products and services used by millions of consumers and businesses around the world.
The company believes the growing demand for intelligent devices and connected technologies will create new opportunities across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, making regional leadership increasingly important.
With Wassim Chourbaji now leading Qualcomm’s EMEA operations, the company aims to strengthen its partnerships, expand innovation initiatives and support digital transformation across diverse industries.
His appointment represents more than a routine leadership change, it signals Qualcomm’s continued investment in one of its fastest-growing regions and its ambition to remain at the forefront of AI, semiconductor technology and next-generation connectivity.
As Enrico Salvatori prepares to conclude a distinguished career after helping shape Qualcomm’s success across EMEA, Chourbaji takes over at a pivotal moment, with the company looking to build on its strong regional foundation and drive the next phase of technological growth and innovation.
