Saudi Arabia
Center3 targets 1GW of data centre capacity by 2030
Saudi data centre operator Center3, a subsidiary of stc, has unveiled a $10Bn investment plan as it targets 1GW of data centre capacity by 2030. The company, which already claims to have spent $3Bn on its existing infrastructure, currently operates and develops around 20 data centres across Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, aiming to reach 300MW by 2027. Center3 is positioning itself to support AI, cloud, and hyperscale workloads, hosting major cloud providers such as Oracle and Huawei, and recently partnered with local developer DataVolt. CEO Fahad AlHajeri emphasised that the expansion will lay the foundation for the region’s digital economy and global innovation leadership…Read more
Humain drives Kingdom’s $77Bn AI infrastructure push
Saudi Arabia’s national AI company Humain, backed by the Public Investment Fund, is pressing ahead with one of the world’s largest planned AI infrastructure projects, targeting 6.6GW of compute capacity by 2034 at an estimated cost of $77Bn. The Kingdom is leveraging cheap electricity, strategic partnerships, and eased US chip-export restrictions to build a global AI hub, while also launching a $10Bn venture fund. Analysts note that domestic demand may initially lag behind the scale of the buildout, suggesting Saudi Arabia could become an exporter of computing power as part of its Vision 2030 diversification strategy. The recent search for Head of Data Centre Estates highlights Humain’s push from strategy to execution…Read more
Oman
Ooredoo inaugurates a new data centre and cable landing station in Salalah
Ooredoo has inaugurated a new data centre and cable landing station in Salalah (Oman), marking a significant step in the Sultanate’s digital transformation. The facility, the first of its kind in Southern Oman, opens with 125 racks and will expand to 500, combining world-class data centre services with international connectivity. Ooredoo says the project will drive economic diversification, attract global digital investment, and enable cloud and AI innovation, strengthening Oman’s position as a regional digital hub. The Salalah site complements Ooredoo’s other data centres in Barka and Sohar, and ties into major subsea cable systems, including 2Africa, reinforcing the country’s role in the global digital economy…Read more
Middle East
Could the Gulf be in line for potential benefits from Trump’s Nvidia-China deal?
The White House’s recent revenue-sharing deal with Nvidia and AMD, allowing limited sales of next-gen AI chips to China, signals a more flexible US approach to global semiconductor exports. While it doesn’t directly affect pending Gulf agreements for advanced chips, the move reduces friction in US-China tech relations, benefiting Gulf nations racing to develop AI hubs. Analysts say the deal sets a precedent for future US licensing frameworks, potentially shaping how Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar access AI infrastructure while balancing security and commercial interests…Read more
AI adoption rises in Turkey, but trust and strategic deployment lag
AI is emerging as the top near-term investment priority for companies in Turkey, according to a recent Twentify study commissioned by DE-CIX. Nearly half of technology leaders expect AI to dominate the business landscape over the next 5 years, with 43% planning immediate investments. While adoption is growing – 45% already use AI in business processes – only 2% leverage it strategically at scale. Reliable connectivity, strong data security, and technical support are key for AI deployment, as Turkey’s AI market is projected to reach $2.01Bn in 2025 and expand to $8.15Bn by 2031. The country is also seeing increased investment in AI infrastructure, including new data centres by Khazna and Equinix. As investment surges, will businesses be able to fully harness AI despite lingering doubts about its reliability?…Read more