Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Saudi Arabia has secured partnerships with NVIDIA, AMD, Cisco, and AWS to build advanced AI infrastructure and boost its digital economy. These collaborations, aimed at deploying 500 megawatts of AI capacity, will drive innovation, enhance talent development, and position Saudi Arabia as a global AI leader aligned with Vision 2030.
Khazna Data Centres, part of the UAE-based G42, is set to build an AI-capable data centre in Ankara, Turkey, with a potential capacity of 100MW. Designed for cloud and AI workloads, the facility will incorporate sustainable features like solar panels and energy-efficient systems, with plans for expansion and continued investment in Turkey.
du has partnered with Microsoft to build a AED 2 billion hyperscale data center in the UAE, boosting the country’s cloud and AI capabilities. This facility, aligned with Dubai’s AI strategy, will enhance digital infrastructure. The company is also rolling out 5G-Advanced technology to support national digital transformation goals.
Khazna, the UAE’s leading data center developer, plans to expand into Saudi Arabia, aiming for 25% market share. The company is set to compete with local firms while targeting hyperscaler needs. Khazna is also expanding globally, with new centers in Turkey, Kenya, and Europe, driven by strong investments and rapid growth.
A delegation from China Mobile Communications Corporation (CMCC), led by Chairman Yang Jie, met Pakistan’s Ministry of IT to discuss advancing digital infrastructure under CPEC. Key topics included AI-enabled data centers, 5G technology, and content hosting partnerships, aimed at enhancing connectivity and regional integration between China and Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly advancing AI adoption across various sectors, including energy, healthcare, and finance, as part of its Vision 2030 goals. With investments in AI infrastructure, research, and education, the Kingdom aims to become the Middle East’s AI epicenter, driving economic growth, innovation, and digital transformation.
Khazna Data Centers is expanding its UAE footprint with two new facilities in Abu Dhabi—AUH4 in Mafraq and AUH8 in Masdar City. These facilities, alongside QAJ1 in Ajman, will serve the growing demand for AI and cloud services in the UAE. The centers, built to LEED Gold standards, will support cutting-edge AI workloads and digital transformation goals.
Pakistan is exploring the use of excess electricity to power Bitcoin mining and AI data centres, leveraging its surplus energy while tapping into the growing tech economy. The initiative aims to optimize underutilized power generation, boost digital infrastructure, and create jobs through blockchain and AI technology.
Open Innovation AI has partnered with Oracle to accelerate sovereign AI adoption across the EMEA region. Leveraging Oracle’s AI infrastructure and Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), the collaboration will help organizations optimize their AI workloads while complying with local data security and regulatory requirements, fostering innovation in both public and private sectors.
iXAfrica has launched the first phase of its NBOX1 hyperscale data centre in Nairobi, featuring 4.5MW of IT capacity. The facility is optimized for AI-driven workloads and includes a partnership with KIXP to reduce latency and costs. It’s part of iXAfrica’s broader expansion to support cloud and digital growth.