As we approach 2026, enterprise networking in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) is at a pivotal moment. The findings from IDC’s 2025 EMEA Enterprise Networking and Life-Cycle Services Survey reveal a landscape shaped by rapid technological change, evolving security threats, and a complex macroeconomic environment. Here’s what organizations, partners, and technology suppliers need to know about the strategies and priorities shaping the future of enterprise networking in the region.
Investment Priorities: Security, AI, and Wi-Fi 7
Security remains the undisputed top priority for EMEA enterprises. With the rise of sophisticated cyberattacks and new regulatory frameworks such as NIS2 and DORA, organizations are doubling down on network security investments. This focus is not just about compliance, it’s about ensuring business continuity and resilience in an unpredictable world.
A notable shift in 2025 is the surge in networking investments to support AI workloads. For the first time, “networking for AI” has become the second-highest investment priority, reflecting the growing adoption of AI-driven applications and the need for robust, high-throughput, and low-latency infrastructure. While many organizations are still defining their AI use cases, there is broad consensus that network architectures must evolve to support these new demands, particularly in datacenters and cloud environments.
Wi-Fi 7 is also gaining momentum, with many enterprises planning to leapfrog Wi-Fi 6/6E and move directly to the latest standard. The promise of higher speeds, improved device density, and enhanced security is driving aggressive deployment targets, especially in Western Europe and the Middle East & Africa.
The Macro Environment: Growth Amid Uncertainty
Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, and energy cost volatility, the outlook for networking investments in EMEA is positive. IDC’s survey shows that nearly 60% of enterprises expect to increase their networking budgets in 2025, with the strongest growth among large organizations and in verticals such as manufacturing and business services. However, budget scrutiny remains high, and organizations are seeking to optimize costs while modernizing their infrastructure.
The Role of Automation and Services
Automation and AI-driven operations are increasingly seen as essential for managing network complexity and addressing skills shortages. Yet, the survey reveals that most organizations are still early in their automation journey, balancing manual processes with emerging automation tools. The appetite for “self-driving” networks is growing, but cultural and technical barriers persist.
This is where life-cycle services and managed services come into play. Enterprises are relying on integration, deployment, and support services to bridge skills gaps and accelerate technology adoption. The use of cloud-managed platforms is expanding, valued for their ability to improve visibility, user experience, and security.
SD-WAN, SASE, and the Convergence of Networking and Security
SD-WAN adoption continues to rise, but many organizations are re-evaluating their technology vendors, seeking better AI capabilities, security features, and cost optimization. The convergence of networking and security is accelerating, with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) models gaining traction, especially where networking and security teams are closely integrated.
Looking Ahead
The EMEA enterprise networking market is forecast to grow steadily through 2029, driven by AI, cloud, and the ongoing refresh of campus and datacenter infrastructure. Success in this environment will require agility, a focus on security and compliance, and a willingness to embrace new technologies and service models.
IDC’s EMEA Networking and Life-Cycle Services research program continues to track these trends, providing actionable insights for enterprises, partners, and technology suppliers navigating this dynamic landscape.
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