DataVolt and Zain KSA have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop data centres across Saudi Arabia, supporting the Kingdom’s cloud and artificial-intelligence economy.
Signed at LEAP 2026, the partnership combines Zain KSA’s telecommunications network, digital services and enterprise relationships with DataVolt’s experience developing and operating high-performance data centres. The facilities are intended to serve Zain’s requirements while offering capacity to government agencies, enterprises, cloud providers, digital platforms and content companies.
The planned portfolio will prioritize energy efficiency, resilience and scalability, with infrastructure designed for high-density computing, advanced cooling and high-capacity connectivity. These capabilities are important as AI workloads require more power per rack and place greater pressure on conventional cooling systems.
Neither company disclosed the portfolio’s capacity, investment value, locations or construction schedule. Because the announcement is an MoU, those details—and project commitments—remain subject to subsequent agreements.
For Saudi Arabia, the partnership reflects a shift from telecommunications infrastructure toward integrated digital infrastructure. Networks move information, but data centres provide the computing capacity required to process and store it.
The opportunity now is to ensure this capacity can scale without creating unsustainable electricity, water and cooling demands. That makes power and thermal infrastructure central to the Kingdom’s AI ambitions.
Source: DataVolt, “DataVolt and Zain KSA Partner to Develop Data Center Portfolio Across the Kingdom,” September 1, 2026.
