Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
du has secured a $544 million deal with Microsoft to build a hyperscale data centre in the UAE, aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure and supporting enterprise cloud computing. This move aligns with du’s strategic push to position the UAE as a global hub for AI and digital innovation.
Ncell has become the first Nepali company to be officially certified as both a Data Centre and Cloud Service Provider in Nepal. This milestone follows Ncell’s successful enrollment under the newly introduced Data Centre and Cloud Services (Operation and Management) Directives 2025, marking a significant step in Nepal’s ICT development.
du Tech has announced its headline sponsorship of the DCD Connect MENA event, set for April 15-16. This partnership highlights du Tech’s role in advancing data centre innovation with AI-enabled, liquid cooling solutions. The event will bring together industry leaders to discuss the future of digital infrastructure.
The IEA reports that data centre electricity consumption will more than double by 2030, primarily driven by AI. This surge in energy demand, alongside opportunities for efficiency improvements, could increase global energy consumption by data centres to 3%, significantly impacting carbon emissions, with companies turning to nuclear and renewable energy.
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.
e& is exiting its joint venture, Khazna Data Centres, by selling its 40% stake to Group 42 for $2.2 billion. The move aligns with e&’s asset monetisation strategy to reduce debt and focus on core businesses. The transaction is expected to finalize by the end of Q1 2025.
DataVolt has partnered with MODON to develop an AI-ready, sustainable data centre in Riyadh, situated on a 55,000-square-meter plot in the city’s first technology park. The project is part of DataVolt’s $5 billion investment in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on advanced cooling systems and optimized energy solutions for AI processing.
Amana and MIS have signed an MoU to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation with sustainable, high-performance data centres. This collaboration supports Vision 2030 and addresses the Kingdom’s growing need for scalable, energy-efficient infrastructure to drive advancements in AI, cloud computing, and enterprise digitalisation.
Batelco, in partnership with Qareeb Data Centres, has signed a contract to develop Bahrain’s first White Space Data Centre at Beyon Data Oasis. This project will provide essential colocation services, establishing Bahrain as a major tech hub in the Middle East and meeting the growing demand for advanced data infrastructure.
Damac Properties has announced a $20 billion investment in the US to develop data centres, aiming to support AI and cloud businesses. The investment, part of the first phase in several US states, reflects the company’s ongoing global expansion. This follows previous investments in Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Turkey.