Ooredoo and Iron Mountain: A Powerful Partnership for MENA's Data Centre Growth

In a strategic move that underscores the growing demand for cloud services and AI adoption in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Ooredoo Group and Iron Mountain have announced a landmark partnership. This alliance will see Iron Mountain, a global leader in information management services, take a minority equity stake in Ooredoo's carrier-neutral data centre company, MENA Digital Hub. The partnership aims to accelerate the expansion of MENA's hyperscale and AI data centre infrastructure, combining Ooredoo's local expertise with Iron Mountain's global operating experience.

The MENA region is poised for significant growth in data centre demand, driven by factors such as accelerating AI adoption, increasing cloud service demand from regional digital transformation initiatives, and the region's competitive advantages in power costs and government support. Ooredoo and Iron Mountain's partnership is strategically timed to capitalize on these market drivers, with a planned USD 1 billion investment to expand capacity to over 120 megawatts in the medium term.

Iron Mountain brings valuable expertise in hyperscaler data centre operations and global best practices to the table, enabling MENA Digital Hub to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery. This will help the company meet the growing demand for colocation, AI, cloud services, and hyperconnectivity in the region. In addition to industry expertise, Iron Mountain will provide specialized advice in the design, construction, and daily operations of data centres to meet evolving global demands.

Ooredoo, on the other hand, brings its strong regional presence and local development and operational track record to the partnership. The company's existing partnerships with key hyperscalers put it in a unique position to leverage the strong tailwinds in the sector and maximize its business and financial outcomes.

The investment by Iron Mountain into Ooredoo's data centre platform is a testament to the growing attractiveness of the MENA region for digital infrastructure. The platform will be uniquely positioned to further capitalize on its existing infrastructure to capture an increasing share of the fast-expanding demand, while ensuring continuous compliance with local and international regulations.

Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, Group CEO of Ooredoo, commented on the partnership: "We are excited to work with Iron Mountain, leveraging their deep expertise in hyperscaler data centres to enhance MENA Digital Hub's capabilities and drive the growth of AI-enabler data centres in the region. This partnership will provide the strategic support needed to optimise operations, accelerate infrastructure development, and scale our platform to meet the growing demand of blue-chip customers and major organisations across the region."

Bill Meaney, President and CEO of Iron Mountain, echoed Fakhroo's enthusiasm: "We are delighted to partner with Ooredoo and support the burgeoning digital transformation in the MENA region. This alliance strengthens our data centre business and demonstrates our commitment to investing in the region's future. We see immense potential in the MENA market and are excited to leverage our expertise to drive innovation and growth alongside Ooredoo."

In conclusion, the strategic partnership between Ooredoo and Iron Mountain is a powerful move that aligns with the growing demand for cloud services and AI adoption in the MENA region. By combining their respective strengths and expertise, the two companies aim to accelerate the expansion of MENA's hyperscale and AI data centre infrastructure, ultimately driving growth and efficiency in the region's data centre market.