UAE-based Khazna will establish an advanced data center in Mafraq under a Musataha agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), according to an Abu Dhabi media office statement. The Mafraq facility — which will have an initial 30 MW capacity — is slated to be operational in 2026 and looks to meet accelerating demand for data centers in the UAE and across the region, the statement said.
What is a Musataha agreement, anyway? The framework allows investors to build on government-owned property. Following the contract’s expiration, the land and any constructed facilities are transferred back to the government.
Khazna is well established in the UAE data center sector: The outfit operates 12 data centers across the UAE, with another 12 in the pipeline expected to add 300 MW in capacity over the next two years.
UAE has been on a data center roll: The UAE had 28 operating data centers in 2023, with another 26 under development.
OTHER TECH NEWS-
Presight to enhance Gambia’s digital infrastructure: G42 data analytics subsidiary Presight signed an MoU with the Gambian Communications and Digital Economy Ministry to support Gambia’s digital transformation under a two-phased partnership, according to a press release (pdf).
In detail: The first phase will see Presight develop the Gambian government’s digital services as well as its national digital identity initiative in a bid to streamline access to government data. Presight will also participate in establishing a national data center.
For the second phase, Presight will set up a national safety operations center and a digital supply chain security lab. The center will be focused on improving Gambia’s cybersecurity, while the lab will “ensure the integrity and security of digital transactions and communications, fostering a safe digital environment for businesses and citizens alike,” the press release reads.