Ooredoo Partners with NVIDIA to Revolutionize AI Data Centers in the Middle East

Qatari telecom giant Ooredoo has announced a strategic partnership with NVIDIA to deploy thousands of NVIDIA Tensor Core GPUs in AI data centers across several key regions. This partnership is set to transform digital infrastructure and spearhead AI innovation in Qatar, Algeria, Tunisia, Oman, Kuwait, and the Maldives.

This initiative marks NVIDIA’s first large-scale launch in the Middle East and positions Ooredoo as the first company in the region to provide direct access to NVIDIA’s cutting-edge AI and graphics processing technology. The collaboration aims to develop an AI-ready platform leveraging NVIDIA's full-stack technology, which includes advanced systems, software, and services.

With the deployment of these Tensor Core GPUs, Ooredoo plans to meet the increasing demand for accelerated computing infrastructure to support advanced AI models. This will empower governments, enterprises, and startups by facilitating the development of local AI ecosystems and applications. The state-of-the-art AI platform will support the secure processing of private datasets, fostering an environment conducive to digital transformation and innovation.

“Working with NVIDIA, we aim to meet the significantly growing demand for accelerated computing infrastructure to support advanced AI models,” said Aziz Aluthman Fakhroo, Group CEO of Ooredoo. He added that the partnership is expected to drive economic growth, job creation, and technological innovation across the MENA region.

As part of this ambitious initiative, Ooredoo is investing $1 billion to expand its regional data center capacity by an additional 20-25 megawatts, on top of the existing 40 megawatts. The company plans to nearly triple this capacity by the end of the decade. This expansion underscores Ooredoo's commitment to enhancing digital infrastructure and supporting the accelerated computing needs of its customers.

Ronnie Vasishta, NVIDIA’s Senior Vice President of Telecom, emphasized that the technology will enable Ooredoo to help customers deploy generative AI applications. This collaboration is a significant step towards positioning Ooredoo as a leading digital infrastructure provider in the region.

Ooredoo's partnership with NVIDIA is part of its broader strategy to reinvent itself into a telecom and infrastructure holding company with a de-layered multi-business structure. This strategy aims to foster synergy within its ecosystem while ensuring business sustainability and growth. The company has already carved out its data centers into a separate entity and is considering similar moves for its undersea cables and fiber network.

With a market capitalization of $8.7 billion, Ooredoo's recent financial performance has been robust, with a 26% year-on-year increase in quarterly profit and a 4% rise in revenues driven by sustained commercial momentum in key markets.