By Ahmad Hamad Bin Fahad, CEO of DUBAL Holding

The UAE’s growth journey is led by an unwavering focus on driving digital transformation, enhancing renewable energy capacity and promoting regulatory excellence. This is best reflected in the ‘Net Zero 2050’ strategy, which aims to create 200,000 jobs across the solar, battery and hydrogen sub-sectors, combining economic and sustainability goals. Digitalisation of the industrial sector will play an important role in realising this vision by paving the way for long-term industrial competitiveness and resilience.

Smart manufacturing, AI adoption and Industry 4.0

Across the UAE, factories are being installed with smart manufacturing systems that integrate IoT sensors, predictive analytics and real-time data environments. These optimise energy usage, reduce downtime and minimise material waste, turning sustainability into a measurable, operational outcome rather than an abstract concept.

Furthermore, digitally connected factories can track emissions at every stage of production, benchmark efficiency and automate corrective actions. This is crucial to achieving the goals of ‘Operation 300bn’ and positioning the UAE as a global hub for future industries.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), Industry 4.0 tools can increase the nation’s industrial productivity by up to 30 per cent while reducing operational costs by nearly 20 per cent through wider structural transformations. Moreover, AI adoption is set to contribute AED 335 billion to the UAE economy by 2031, as reported by the UAE Council for AI and Blockchain.

Artificial Intelligence is also redefining how industrial assets function, from power plants and smelters to logistics centres and material processing facilities. AI-enabled algorithms can even forecast equipment failures, balance energy loads and simulate entire production cycles to identify carbon-saving interventions. AI also helps enhance transparency and enforce operational discipline, promoting both sustainability and profitability.

Role of advanced automation in redefining industrial operations

Advanced automation, from robotics to autonomous transport systems, is driving sustainability by eliminating key bottlenecks that cause higher emissions. Furthermore, automated systems ensure enhanced precision, enabling industries to streamline energy usage, optimise supply chains and accelerate circular-economy practices such as recycling, material recovery and waste-to-value processes.

However, automation does not replace human capability; it merely enhances it, enabling operators to move on to high-value digital roles. It efficiently tackles repetitive, energy-intensive tasks, creating a more resilient, low-carbon industrial ecosystem. A key enabler of this transition is the rise of strategic, government-aligned investments in digital-first industrial ventures. These investments are the backbone of the nation’s industrial future as they help build advanced manufacturing platforms, AI-driven optimisation technologies, smart mobility solutions and digital energy-management systems.

By investing in companies that integrate digital tools into core industrial operations, the UAE is accelerating technology adoption at scale. These investments further position digital transformation as a strategic imperative for fulfilling the UAE’s sustainability goals while boosting economic competitiveness.

Way Forward: Shaping a resilient industrial economy

The UAE’s wise leadership remains committed to fostering an ecosystem that rewards digital innovation and AI adoption. Moreover, by directing long-term strategic capital towards transformative technologies, the nation is building an industrial sector that is both future-ready and climate-aligned.
Amid this shift, digitalisation stands out as the most critical tool for building a sustainable, net-zero industrial economy. Aligning with this, companies must embrace forward-looking strategies that can positively shape the future of the industry.

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In the vibrant heart of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are orchestrating a digital revolution that extends far beyond the realm of gaming – it’s an unfolding narrative that captivates enthusiasts and resonates with governments, heralding an era of unparalleled cultural and economic transformation.

According to the revelatory Game Changer report by the Boston Consulting Group, an astonishing 60% of the Middle East’s population proudly identifies as gaming enthusiasts, effortlessly surpassing the global average of 40%. This statistic isn’t just a numerical anomaly; it’s a testament to a cultural renaissance that is reshaping the narrative of the region.

Saudi Arabia’s Mobile Gaming Odyssey

Leading this transformative charge is Saudi Arabia, contributing a formidable 45% to the region’s gaming sector, boasting a valuation of a staggering $1.8 billion. The kingdom has pivoted decisively towards mobile gaming, which now constitutes an imposing 65% of market revenue. In a strategic symphony, Saudi Arabia unfurls its National Gaming and Esports Strategy, envisaging the development of 30 games and the creation of a colossal 40,000 jobs by 2030.

The Saudi Esports Federation, a linchpin in this narrative, infuses vitality with a generous funding injection of $488 million. This commitment goes beyond mere investment; it signifies the cultivation of an ecosystem for innovation and employment on an unprecedented scale. The appointment of Prince Faisal bin Bandar, the federation’s president, as the vice president of the Global Esports Federation adds a royal stamp to this gaming renaissance.

UAE’s Ascent to Global Gaming Prominence

Simultaneously, the UAE crafts its own narrative on the global gaming stage. Abu Dhabi Gaming and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre’s Gaming Centre roll out enticing incentives, beckoning global gaming behemoths like Ubisoft and Tencent to establish their regional headquarters. Dubai’s ambition reverberates through the halls of power with the launch of a groundbreaking gaming program, envisioning the creation of 30,000 jobs in the next decade and aspiring to secure a spot among the top ten gaming cities globally.

Dubai’s Programme for Gaming isn’t just a blueprint; it’s a manifesto for economic transformation, seeking to bolster the industry’s GDP contribution by nearly $1 billion by 2023. The stakes are high, the ambition boundless, as the UAE positions itself not just as a regional hub but as a global force in the gaming industry.

Hub of Innovation

At the heart of this transformation are players like Gamers Hub Middle East, Power League Gaming, Calyx, and Game Centric. Their efforts go beyond building platforms and are shaping how gaming is created, experienced, and scaled across the region.

As the Middle East embraces gaming and gamification, it’s not just about creating an industry; it’s about sculpting an identity, a future where gaming is the pulse of innovation, a driving force propelling economies and cultures into uncharted territories.

The Middle East isn’t merely a market; it’s an arena where the convergence of technology, culture, and ambition is scripting a saga that resonates far beyond the gaming realm, heralding a bold leap into the future.

You can review and add more names.

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“The opening of our data centres is part of our ongoing investment in the UAE, which remains one of the largest markets in the region for both ManageEngine and Zoho brands,” said Shailesh Davey, Co-founder and CEO, Zoho Corporation. “With this move, Zoho Corporation will be enabling businesses store their data locally, strengthening data sovereignty, and supporting National Cybersecurity Agenda. Furthermore, 100+ solutions across Zoho and ManageEngine, will enable businesses of all sizes, and government and semi-government organisations adopt cloud technology for digital transformation in nearly every area of operation, and help Dubai become a digital economy line with Dubai Vision 2030.”

The data centres have also received certification from CSP Security Standard Certificate by DESC (Dubai Electronic Security Center). This qualifies Zoho Corporation to serve government and semi-government entities in addition to local businesses. As part of this, the data centres are also compliant with: ISO 27001, ISO 22301,  ISO 27017 and CSA STAR Level 2 Certificate for data centres. In addition, the company’s Dubai office has received ISO 27001 certificate.

Growth Momentum of Zoho

Zoho has grown by 38.7% in 2025 in UAE, and expanded its partner network by 29% in the same period. It has further increased its employee count by 35% last year to serve the needs of its increasing customer base, and expanded into a larger office. The key solutions driving Zoho’s growth are: Customer Experience platform (Zoho CRM, Desk and Zoho CRM Plus), Zoho Books (VAT-compliant and FTA-approved accounting software), Creator (low-code app development platform), Zoho Workplace (communication and collaboration platform), and Zoho One (all-in-one suite of 55+ products).

In the past five years, Zoho has invested AED 80 million on enabling over 7000 businesses in their digital transformation journey through various partnerships such as those with DET and Dubai Culture. In the past few years, Zoho has seen a steady upmarket growth in the country, 48% in 2025, led by its strong platform capabilities that allow enterprises achieve faster time to value and lowers their total cost of ownership. 

Growth Momentum of ManageEngine

ManageEngine has grown by 20% in 2025 in the UAE, led by its continued focus on the enterprise sector. The brand has strengthened its local presence, including through the partner network, to support the increasing adoption of its solutions across both private and government organizations. The key solutions driving the growth are: Endpoint Central (unified endpoint management), ServiceDesk Plus (unified service management) and Site24x7 (cloud-based observability platform).

In the recent years, growth in the UAE for ManageEngine has been particularly strong in BFSI, government and public sector, and manufacturing, fuelled by cloud adoption, which is growing at nearly 35% in the region for the brand’s cloud solutions. This trend reflects a broader shift toward cloud-first strategies, as organizations prioritise scalability, agility, and faster innovation.

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n boardrooms across the globe, something big is happening, quietly but decisively. Sustainability has evolved far beyond being a “nice-to-have” addition to an ESG report. It’s now front and centre in business strategy, especially in tech. From green computing and circular data centers to AI that optimizes energy use, companies are reshaping their technology roadmaps with sustainability as a core driver and not as an afterthought.

Not long ago, tech strategy was all about speed, uptime, and keeping costs per computation low. That mindset has evolved. Today, leaders are also asking tougher questions: How carbon-intensive is this system? How energy-efficient is it over time? What’s its full lifecycle impact? With climate pressure mounting and energy prices climbing, organisations that tie digital transformation to their institutional sustainability goals.

At its heart, green computing seeks to maximize computing performance while minimising environmental impact. This includes optimising hardware efficiency, reducing waste, and using smarter algorithms that require less energy.

A wave of recent research shows just how impactful this can be. Studies indicate that emerging green computing technologies can reduce energy consumption by 40–60% compared to traditional approaches. That’s not a marginal improvement, that’s transformational. It means smaller operating costs, longer hardware life, and a lower carbon footprint without sacrificing performance.

Part of this comes from smarter software. Techniques like green coding, which optimise algorithms to minimise redundant operations, have been shown to cut energy use by up to 20% in data processing tasks.

Organisations that adopt green computing strategies aren’t just doing good; they’re driving tangible results. Informed by sustainability principles, energy-efficient hardware and

optimisation frameworks can reduce energy bills and maintenance costs at the same time, often with payback periods of three to five years.

Data centres are the backbone of the digital economy. They power software, store vast troves of data, and support the artificial intelligence systems driving innovation. But this backbone comes with a heavy environmental load. Collectively, global data centres consume hundreds of terawatt-hours of electricity each year, which is about 2% of total global electricity.

As AI workloads surge and data storage demand explodes, energy consumption is rising sharply. Looking ahead to 2030, the numbers are hard to ignore. Global data

centre electricity demand is expected to almost double, reaching levels you’d normally associate with an entire industrialised country. That kind of energy appetite isn’t just a technical issue, it’s a strategic wake-up call for the entire industry.

This surge has forced a fundamental rethink of how data centres are built and run. Enter the idea of the circular data centre. It’s not just about better cooling or switching to renewables. Instead, it looks at the full lifecycle of infrastructure, from construction and daily operations to decommissioning, recycling, and reuse, so waste and inefficiency are designed out from the start.

The most forward-thinking operators are already implementing this approach. Advanced cooling methods, such as liquid cooling and AI-driven thermal management, are revolutionising the industry, reducing cooling energy consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional air-based systems. That’s a big win not only for energy bills, but also for long- term sustainability.

Beyond cooling, operators are turning heat waste into a resource. In Scandinavia, data centres are already repurposing excess thermal output to heat residential buildings, a real- world example of how technology can feed back into the community in a circular way. These strategies are already showing results, with approximately 60% of data centre energy now coming from renewable sources, and many operators are targeting 100% clean power by 2030.

Circular thinking extends to hardware too. Companies are designing servers and components for easier recycling, refurbishing retired equipment, and integrating modularity so that parts can be upgraded without replacing entire systems.

For businesses, circular data centres represent more than environmental responsibility. They can significantly lower capital expenditures over time and reduce regulatory risk as governments tighten emissions requirements. While AI itself has been criticised for energy use, the technology also offers some of the most effective tools for reducing overall consumption across tech infrastructure.

AI algorithms excel at predictive optimisation, they can analyse real-time sensor data to adjust cooling systems, balance computing loads, and shut down idle resources. Across case studies, such systems have reliably achieved 15–30% energy savings in energy management tasks in cloud environments, dynamic server allocation and AI-assisted workload management have contributed to energy savings of around 25% when compared with conventional operations.

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Industry analysis by Grand View Research (GVR) reveals that IT services currently account for around 21–22% of total IT spending across MENA, a share expected to rise to between 26 and 28% by the end of the decade. The region’s professional IT services market, valued at USD 33.9 billion (Dh124.5 billion) in 2024, is forecast to grow to nearly USD 58.3 billion (Dh214 billion) by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 9.5%.

Sourav Bhanja, Middle East Head of GVR, said: “Many B2B IT services firms in the region continue to underinvest in digital engagement. Professional platforms such as LinkedIn remain underutilised, while company websites often lack strong case studies, sector-specific storytelling, and clear positioning.”

Government-led digitalisation programmes, sovereign cloud deployments, smart city initiatives, and national data strategies, coupled with rising enterprise adoption across sectors such as banking and financial services, healthcare, energy, logistics, and public infrastructure, are driving this shift. As hyperscalers and global technology firms expand their regional footprint, demand for localised integration, migration, and managed services continues to accelerate.

Bhanja also emphasised the importance of leadership visibility in the region’s competitive IT market: “Technical capability alone is no longer enough. Firms that combine deep technical expertise with consistent marketing, strong leadership visibility, and clear communication of value are the ones most likely to succeed in the MENA market.”

The analysis highlights that with growing competition among IT services providers, market visibility and differentiation have emerged as critical growth drivers. Integrated, always-on digital marketing strategies are increasingly vital, as many B2B IT services firms underutilise channels such as LinkedIn, websites, thought leadership content, newsletters, blogs, infographics, and short-form video to engage decision-makers.

Market data also indicates a broader shift towards digital-first engagement. Digital advertising spend in the Middle East, estimated at USD 32 billion (Dh117 billion) in 2024, is projected to rise sharply to USD 81.4 billion (Dh298.9 billion) by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 16.7%. In contrast, the regional events and conferences market is expected to expand at a more modest 7.1% CAGR, reflecting changing enterprise marketing priorities.

Grand View Research concluded that IT services firms combining technical depth with strong market communication, data-driven marketing, and visible leadership will be best positioned to capture the next phase of growth across MENA.

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By Srijith KN, Senior Editor, Technology Integrator

Celebrating more than two decades in the region, and backed by over 800 enterprise customers, Ramco Systems is not merely expanding; it is doubling down on its presence. With a 50-member local team and a roadmap anchored in deep product localization, the company’s strategy is clear: build for the region, in the region. Local language support, government-portal integrations, and strict alignment with regional data privacy laws form the foundation of Ramco’s next chapter.

At the media roundtable held in Dubai as part of Ramco@20, Integrator had a front-row view into the company’s transformation; one that is not just incremental but architectural. From pioneering client-server systems to shaping modern SaaS platforms, Ramco has long played in the innovation lane. But what they are now setting their sights on could reshape the enterprise software landscape once again: AI-native enterprise systems.

From System of Record to System of Intelligence

Ramco’s next strategic leap is a shift from traditional enterprise software—rigid, transactional, and complex, to a fluid “system of intelligence.” Imagine an enterprise app that doesn’t wait for instructions but proactively surfaces insights, flags anomalies, and allows employees to manage operations through natural conversation. That is the future Ramco is building toward.

One of their strongest verticals HR and payroll, illustrates this ambition. They already support organizations with massive workforce structures, including companies with over 100,000 employees and more than 1,000 pay components. Under an AI-powered interface, many of these complicated workflows will compress into simple prompts, removing friction from one of the most complex business domains.

A ChatGPT-Like Canvas for Enterprise Work

The company demonstrated an early preview of its conversational interface; a clean, unified canvas where users can query pending purchase requests, generate reports, or even create purchase orders using a single natural language prompt. The UX remains consistent for all, but the underlying workflows, context, and AI-generated outputs adapt to individual users and company-specific processes.

But the most compelling use cases emerged when the discussion shifted to aviation; a sector where Ramco already has deep domain expertise.

AI on the Hangar Floor: A Glimpse into Aviation’s Future

Picture a technician standing beside a massive aircraft engine, disassembling components, identifying faults, replacing parts, and logging every detail meticulously. Aviation is unforgiving—every part must meet airworthiness standards, track flying hours, and comply with stringent regulations. Only certified personnel can work on the engine, and even the tools they use must be OEM-mandated.

Now layer AI into that setting.

As a technician opens an engine and reports an issue—say, a damaged blade—the AI instantly scans 15–20 years of historical maintenance data. It recognizes patterns and alerts the technician:

“John, you’re replacing this blade on an A380. Historically, whenever this part is replaced, another related fault tends to appear within eight months. Would you like to inspect that area as well?”

This is not a textbook recommendation. It is institutional memory, decades of real-world faults and fixes, surfacing as real-time intelligence. The system becomes a second expert on the floor, conversing with technicians, guiding actions, and ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. This simple conversational canvas, Ramco argues, has the potential to reshape ground-level operations in one of the world’s most complex industries.

The Critical Question: What About Data Privacy?

As enterprise AI evolves, the most pressing concerns are no longer about innovation; they’re about protection. So, we asked the question that matters most: How does Ramco secure customer data in an AI-driven future?

Their answer was reassuringly clear:

1. All AI workloads are hosted locally within the customer’s private environment.
2. Data never leaves the region. Workloads are deployed in the customer’s local data center.
3. Every customer gets an isolated AI instance. No shared environments, no cross-pollination of data.
4. No external web calls, ensuring full containment and compliance.

In an era where enterprises fear the opacity of AI, Ramco is betting on transparency and regional sovereignty.

The Road Ahead

Ramco’s mission is ambitious: to redefine enterprise apps through AI and shift the industry from systems that store data to systems that think. And based on what we witnessed at Ramco@20, this is not a distant vision; it is already taking shape on factory floors, in payroll departments, and inside aircraft hangars.

The next era of enterprise software won’t just automate processes. It will understand them. And Ramco is positioning itself to become one of the first global players to make that leap—from record-keeping to intelligence-building—right here in the region.

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Ramco Systems, aglobal enterprise software company offering next-generation SaaS-enabled platforms and products, celebrated two decades of powering enterprise transformation in the Middle East. To mark this milestone, Ramco hosted Ramco@20 – Experience That Matters, a full-day event in Dubai designed to showcase its regional journey, highlight cutting-edge innovations, and bring customers and industry leaders together for forward-looking discussions.

The first half of Ramco@20 convened senior HR and payroll leaders from across the region for a thought leadership forum on the future of employee experience. Industry leaders discussed how enterprises in the Middle East are moving beyond traditional HR process optimization toward more intelligent, intuitive, and employee-centric models of workforce management. Conversations explored balancing automation with empathy, using AI thoughtfully, and elevating payroll as a trust-building touchpoint.

The second half welcomed a large gathering of customers across business units – Global Payroll, Aviation MRO, ERP, Services Resource Planning and Logistics – along with partners, and industry influencers, for a celebration honouring the relationships that have defined Ramco’s two-decade journey. Ramco’s leadership unveiled its technology vision: shifting from Systems of Record to Systems of Intelligence through AI-native applications, agentic workflows, and conversational UX. The leadership’s address also emphasized its investments in platform modernization and localized initiatives, while outlining a roadmap to further strengthen Ramco’s focus for the next 20 years.

Abinav Raja, Managing Director, Ramco Systems, said, “The Middle East has been a cornerstone of Ramco’s growth story for two decades and has shaped our thinking in profound ways. The region’s appetite for transformation has inspired us to design solutions that combine global best practices with local relevance. This milestone is built on the trust and partnership of our customers, and our commitment is clear: double down on AI-native, API-first applications that incorporate special features aligned with the region, platform modernization, and customer-centricity. We are shaping the future of enterprise technology with solutions enabling businesses to focus on what truly matters: growth and people.”

Sandesh Bilagi, Chief Operating Officer, Ramco Systems, said, “Our presence in the Middle East has been built on strong partnerships and a commitment to delivering outcomes. This region is not merely a market for us, but also a proving ground for ideas that redefine global enterprise technology.  The presence of all our business units in this region makes the Middle East a key pillar and reflects the confidence our customers have placed in us for twenty years.“

“Our investments in agentic AI, conversational UX, and platform innovation are designed to deliver enterprise applications that are intuitive, secure, scalable and integrate regional nuances,” Bilagi added. “We also focus on customer-focused initiatives like local deployment and training because every digital journey is, at its core, a human journey. The region is setting global benchmarks, and we are proud partners of the next era of enterprise innovation.”

Over the past two decades, Ramco has partnered with leading enterprises across the region, enabling digital transformation through innovative solutions. Its work in the Middle East has been shaped by sectors and functions that demand precision at scale – payroll, aviation, manufacturing, conglomerates, trading, infrastructure, professional services and logistics – giving Ramco an execution depth that continues to define its competitiveness in the region.

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Boston Consulting Group (BCG) announced the launch of its new report, “AI Data Centers: An Opportunity in the Middle East”, during the sidelines of MWC Doha 2025, revealing that the Middle East is rapidly positioning the region as a rising global nexus for AI data center investment and innovation. As global demand for AI infrastructure accelerates, with data center power needs projected to grow from 86GW in 2025 to 198GW by 2030, BCG finds that the Middle East has a uniquely competitive advantage in supplying scalable, cost-efficient AI compute capacity.

Middle East: A Critical New Hub of AI Data Center Investment

BCG’s report highlights that the Middle East is not merely participating in the global AI infrastructure race; it is fast emerging as a critical new hub of AI data center development. The region benefits from distinctive structural advantages. Its strategic geography places it within a 2,000-mile radius of over 3 billion people, enabling it to serve Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Global South with non-latency-sensitive AI inferencing at scale.

Thibault Werle, Managing Director & Partner, BCG

Competitive cost structures, including up to 50% lower leasing rates, low power tariffs, and advanced cooling systems adopted by regional operators, significantly reduce the total cost of ownership. Meanwhile, markets such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to accelerate time-to-market for new data centers through fast-track development, dedicated investment teams, and special economic zone clusters such as Masdar City’s Stargate Campus. This momentum is reinforced by the region’s expansive land availability, scalable power ecosystems, and the planned ~720 Tbps Fibre in the Gulf (FIG) submarine cable project.

Harold Haddad, Managing Director & Senior Partner BCG

Thibault Werlé, Managing Director and Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), said: “The Middle East is undergoing a pivotal transformation as it positions itself to become a global hub for AI infrastructure. With strategic investments, progressive digital policies, and ambitious national visions across Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, the region is building the foundation for scalable, next-generation AI compute. Qatar’s ongoing initiatives, showcased during MWC Doha, reflect the broader regional commitment to shaping a competitive and globally relevant AI ecosystem that can serve markets across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Global South.”

Country Momentum Across the Region

The report outlines major national initiatives shaping the Middle East’s AI infrastructure landscape. Saudi Arabia has launched HUMAIN with a targeted 1.9GW AI data center capacity, along with partnerships with NVIDIA, AMD, AWS, DataVolt, and Groq to develop multi-hundred-megawatt AI campuses, including the world’s largest AI compute center. The UAE is advancing a 5GW AI campus in Abu Dhabi under the US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership and is importing 500,000 GPUs for regional and US partners, supported by Microsoft’s USD $15.2 billion AI and cloud infrastructure investment. Qatar’s strategic investments complement these national efforts and reinforce a GCC-wide push toward establishing a global AI compute corridor.

Qatar Leading Regional Momentum

Qatar is steadily strengthening its position as a competitive player in the global AI and technology race, supported by strategic investments from the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). These include the establishment of a USD $3 billion global platform with Blue Owl Capital to accelerate international AI and cloud infrastructure expansion, as well as QIA’s participation in Anthropic’s USD $13 billion funding round. These initiatives underscore Qatar’s commitment to advancing its digital capabilities and align closely with the ambitions of the Qatar Digital Vision 2030.

MWC Doha serves as a testament to the country’s growing role in shaping the regional technology landscape, reflecting Qatar’s intent to contribute meaningfully to the Middle East’s emerging AI infrastructure ecosystem.

Reflecting on BCG’s participation at MWC Doha, Harold Haddad, Managing Director and Senior Partner noted: “Qatar’s digital ambition is rapidly taking shape, driven by decisive leadership and a deep commitment to innovation. In line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy, the country is harnessing AI and emerging technologies to cement its role as a competitive force in the global digital economy. Hosting Mobile World Congress Doha reflects this momentum and Qatar’s growing influence as a pivotal hub for technological advancement. At BCG, we are proud to contribute to this journey, partnering across sectors to help build the digital foundations of the future economy.”

Recommendations for Middle Eastern Governments

To fully unlock the region’s potential, BCG recommends that governments create streamlined, unified investment packages that integrate key inputs such as land, power, water, and connectivity within clear, time-bound frameworks. Expanding a diverse ecosystem of business and financing models including hyperscalers, GPU-as-a-Service providers, equity platforms, and bond-backed investments will be critical to enabling flexibility for market entrants. The report also emphasizes the importance of strengthening partnerships across chipset suppliers, research institutions, and component manufacturers to accelerate innovation across the AI data center value chain. Developing and retaining world-class digital and AI talent remains a central requirement for long-term competitiveness, capacity building, and sustained innovation.

As AI continues to reshape economic landscapes, data centers form the critical backbone of global technological leadership. With its strategic geography, favorable economics, and ambitious national digital agendas, the Middle East is uniquely poised to emerge as a global AI data center powerhouse—particularly for regions requiring scalable and cost-efficient AI compute such as the Global South.

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