{"id":896182,"date":"2026-04-02T03:12:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T08:12:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/02\/middle-east-datacentre-capacity-set-to-triple-by-2030\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T08:12:13","slug":"middle-east-datacentre-capacity-set-to-triple-by-2030","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/02\/middle-east-datacentre-capacity-set-to-triple-by-2030\/","title":{"rendered":"Middle East datacentre capacity set to triple by 2030"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"content-header\">\n<h2>Driven by government vision, booming demand for cloud and artificial intelligence, and strategic investments, the region is rapidly becoming a global digital hub, reshaping the future of connectivity and technology<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"content-center\">\n<ul>\n<li><i data-icon=\"1\"><\/i><\/li>\n<li><i data-icon=\"2\"><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"contributors-block\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.ttgtmedia.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Andrea-Benito-Arauzo-140x180.jpg\" alt=\"Andrea Benito \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.techtarget.com\/contributor\/Andrea-Benito\">Andrea Benito ,<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Computer Weekly<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n\tPublished: <span>01 Apr 2026<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"content-body\">\n<p>The Middle East datacentre market is undergoing a massive transformation, emerging as a global powerhouse for digital infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>This evolution is fuelled by a convergence of factors: ambitious government-led digital strategies, surging demand for cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) services, cost-optimisation imperatives and the arrival of both global hyperscalers and innovative local providers.<\/p>\n<p>The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar are positioned as a digital gateway between Asia and Africa, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366633377\/UAEs-datacentre-boom-powers-AI-ambitions-and-digital-sovereignty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">region\u2019s datacentre ecosystem is set to triple<\/a> in capacity by 2030, reshaping the global digital landscape.<\/p>\n<p>Luis Bravo, senior analyst research EMEA at datacenterHawk, highlights the region\u2019s unique strengths: \u201cFirst, it\u2019s about access to power and energy, the Middle East is a gateway for Asia and Europe, and many submarine cables are from Singapore, India, and Africa to Oman, the UAE and Saudi Arabia. That\u2019s a big driver, and energy generation capacity is key, the location and energy capacity are major advantages.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to the <em>Middle East datacentre construction market \u2013 industry outlook &#038; forecast 2025-2030<\/em> report, the Middle East datacentre construction market is projected to reach almost US$7bn by 2030. This expansion is driven by a robust pipeline of new projects. Currently, existing third-party capacity is around 500MW (megawatts), and forecasts suggest it will triple to 1.5GW (gigawatts) by the end of the decade.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe datacentre market in the Middle East is undergoing a major transformation right now. We\u2019re seeing digitalisation accelerate at a remarkable pace, and what&#8217;s particularly notable is the proactive role that governments in the region are playing in driving this shift,\u201d say Anisha Walia and Ismael Moreno-Gomez, manager and principal at Analysys Mason.<\/p>\n<section data-menu-title=\"Regional hubs and strategic advantages\">\n<h2><i data-icon=\"1\"><\/i>Regional hubs and strategic advantages<\/h2>\n<p>The UAE and Saudi Arabia are at the forefront of this transformation, leveraging their strategic locations, robust digital infrastructure and ambitious national visions. Dubai, in particular, has established itself as a regional datacentre hub, boasting world-class connectivity and a regulatory environment that attracts both global enterprises and cloud providers. Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are also key centres, with significant investments in innovative city projects and AI-driven initiatives.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366633377\/UAEs-datacentre-boom-powers-AI-ambitions-and-digital-sovereignty\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Saudi Arabia\u2019s Vision 2030<\/a> and the UAE\u2019s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031 are not only catalysing domestic demand but are positioning these nations as global technology hubs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe region\u2019s going through a major digital transformation, with more people and businesses moving to the cloud,\u201d says Shumon Zaman, chief information and digital officer at Ali &#038; Sons.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThen there\u2019s the explosion of smart city projects like Neom in Saudi Arabia, which need powerful tech backbones to run. Plus, governments are pushing for data localisation, keeping data within national borders, which means local datacentres are a must. Lastly, there\u2019s a big shift toward sustainable energy, and new datacentres are being built with green tech in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Walia and Moreno-Gomez from Analysys Mason add: \u201cFor example, in Saudi Arabia, digital transformation is a core part of Vision 2030. There\u2019s a whole ecosystem of programmes that have been put in place, from the Digital Government Strategy and the establishment of the Digital Government Authority to widely used platforms like Absher, Seha Virtual Hospital and Tawakkalna. These are real, tangible efforts that are making a difference in how citizens engage with government services.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The UAE is also making rapid progress on this front. Its Digital Government Strategy 2025 is very focused on creating user-centric, data-driven services. And it\u2019s not just about the front end, the government is also investing heavily in infrastructure, particularly around cloud and AI, through initiatives such as the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence 2031.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, the GCC is seeing a massive surge in demand for AI inference, cloud and digital services. Between 2025 and 2029, cloud services in the region are projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 9-11%. This is being fuelled by changing consumer behaviour, more e-commerce, digital payments, gaming and streaming. All of this is adding pressure on the existing infrastructure and creating strong demand for both hyperscale and colocation datacentres.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-menu-title=\"The hyperscaler wave\">\n<h2><i data-icon=\"1\"><\/i>The hyperscaler wave<\/h2>\n<p>The Middle East\u2019s strategic importance has not gone unnoticed by global hyperscalers. Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure and Oracle have all established or announced cloud regions in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, often partnering with local telecom giants or government-backed entities.<\/p>\n<p>Amazon Web Services, for instance, has committed more than US$5bn to develop new datacentres in Saudi Arabia, while Google Cloud and Microsoft have launched cloud regions in Dubai and Dammam, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While global players make headlines, local providers are equally instrumental in shaping the region\u2019s datacentre landscape. Khazna Data Centers, headquartered in Dubai, is a standout example. With a mission to build and operate highly secure, energy-efficient and scalable facilities, Khazna has become a trusted partner to enterprises seeking cost-effective, sustainable infrastructure.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBecause of the growth we have seen in the region in Khazna, we have increased our capacity. During Covid, the way businesses adopted the cloud enabled us to scale to fulfil their needs. For us, the demand is in the GCC, mainly because of local regulations where data is required to be kept within the country,\u201d says Greg Jasmin, head of international client development at Khazna Data Centres.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-menu-title=\"A global digital hub in the making\">\n<h2><i data-icon=\"1\"><\/i>A global digital hub in the making<\/h2>\n<p>As the digital economy expands, the Middle East is poised to play a pivotal role in global data networks, supporting a range of applications including AI, cloud computing, e-commerce and smart cities.<\/p>\n<p>The dynamic interplay between cost, energy savings, technological innovation and regulatory alignment is shaping a market that is not only growing rapidly but also setting new standards for efficiency and sustainability.<\/p>\n<p>As Analysys\u2019 Mason says: \u201cIt\u2019s a combination of top-down policy and bottom-up market demand that\u2019s driving this momentum.\u201d In this environment, the Middle East stands poised to become a critical node in the world\u2019s digital future.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"DigDeeperSplash\">\n<h4>\n\t\t\t<i data-icon=\"m\"><\/i>Read more on Datacentre cooling infrastructure<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366640511\/Designing-watersmart-AI-datacentres-in-GCC-and-MENA\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/water-ripples-Budairomi-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/water-ripples-Budairomi-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/HeroImages\/water-ripples-Budairomi-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>Designing water\u2010smart AI datacentres in GCC and MENA<\/h5>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366638956\/G42-expands-global-AI-ambitions-with-sovereign-cloud-partnership-in-Vietnam\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/German\/article\/artificial-intelligence-brain-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/German\/article\/artificial-intelligence-brain-adobe_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/German\/article\/artificial-intelligence-brain-adobe.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>G42 expands global AI ambitions with sovereign cloud partnership in Vietnam<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Andrea-Benito-Arauzo-140x180.jpg\" alt=\"AndreaBenito \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Andrea\u00a0Benito <\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a id=\"DigDeeperItem-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/news\/366636873\/PwC-AI-cloud-and-next-generation-networks-redefine-the-Middle-Easts-TMT-future\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero Images\/Artificial_intelligence_AI_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/Artificial_intelligence_AI_searchsitetablet_520X173.jpg 960w,https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/visuals\/ComputerWeekly\/Hero%20Images\/Artificial_intelligence_AI.jpg 1280w\" alt ><\/p>\n<h5>PwC: AI, cloud and next-generation networks redefine the Middle East\u2019s TMT future<\/h5>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/rms\/computerweekly\/Andrea-Benito-Arauzo-140x180.jpg\" alt=\"AndreaBenito \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p><span>By: <span>Andrea\u00a0Benito <\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a 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<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.computerweekly.com\/feature\/Middle-East-datacentre-capacity-set-to-triple-by-2030\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><br \/>\n Clora Haslett<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Driven by government vision, booming demand for cloud and artificial intelligence, and strategic investments, the region is rapidly becoming a global digital hub, reshaping the future of connectivity and technology By Andrea Benito , Computer Weekly Published: 01 Apr 2026 The Middle East datacentre market is undergoing a massive transformation, emerging as a global powerhouse<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":896183,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73627,4373,46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-896182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-datacentre","category-middle","category-technology"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/896182","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=896182"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/896182\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/896183"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=896182"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=896182"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=896182"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}