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GCC data center investment reaches $93bn across 174 active projects
More than a dozen facilities valued above $100m each currently under tender, with further packages expected within twelve months.
The Gulf Cooperation Council recorded $93 billion in data center investment across 174 active projects as of October 2026, according to a MEED report published on 23 October 2026. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates account for the majority of the pipeline, with more than twelve facilities valued above $100 million each currently under tender. Further packages are expected to reach the market within the next six to twelve months.
Saudi Arabia and UAE lead regional pipeline#
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are advancing the largest share of the 174 projects, supported by national digital transformation programmes and commitments from international technology companies and regional developers. The report identifies hyperscale, colocation and edge facilities as the three primary categories within the active pipeline. Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait are also expanding domestic hosting capacity and connectivity infrastructure to meet rising demand for digital services. The report does not break down the $93 billion figure by country or by facility type.
Tender activity concentrated in facilities above $100m#
More than twelve large-scale data center facilities valued above $100 million each are currently under tender in the GCC, with additional packages expected to enter the market over the next six to twelve months, according to the MEED report published on 23 October 2026. The report does not name the specific projects under tender or disclose their locations. The expanding pipeline is creating opportunities for developers, contractors, technology providers and suppliers as projects move from planning into delivery. The report notes that rapid expansion is placing greater emphasis on access to power and grid capacity, alongside cooling efficiency, land availability and sustainability requirements.
AI and cloud computing drive capacity requirements#
The rise of artificial intelligence and cloud computing is changing both the scale and technical requirements of data center infrastructure in the Gulf, according to the MEED report. High-capacity, resilient and energy-efficient facilities are becoming increasingly important as Gulf economies pursue digital transformation objectives. The report states that as facilities become larger and more technically demanding, specialist contractors and suppliers will play an important role in delivering new capacity. The report does not provide a breakdown of capacity by megawatt or by square metre, nor does it specify completion dates for the projects under tender.
Sources1 source across 1 domain
- economymiddleeast.comEconomy Middle East$93 billion investment across 174 active projects, more than twelve facilities above $100m under tender, MEED report published 23 October 2026
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