In the age of artificial intelligence, where wealth is no longer measured solely by natural resources but also by data—now described as the “new oil”—we can confidently say that the UAE has become one of the wealthiest countries in this regard. This is evidenced by the presence of over 35 data centers within the country, with approximately 81 more under construction or in the planning stages, supported by billions of dollars in investments in digital infrastructure.
The cost of data storage varies depending on its sensitivity and importance, with a growing need for increased investments in cybersecurity and operational infrastructure to ensure reliability and sustainability. A study by Research and Markets revealed that the UAE data center market is growing rapidly and is expected to exceed $3.3 billion by 2030. The study also noted that the country is experiencing a compound annual growth rate of nearly 18% in its data center market.
By the end of 2023, the UAE had 235 megawatts of data center capacity, according to a report by the British company DC Byte, with plans to increase this capacity by 343 megawatts over the next few years.
