The data centre market in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) currently hosts some of the leading global data centre operators, alongside very successful local ones.

With growth driven by a global surge in AI and cloud computing, the region is experiencing substantial investment – leading to the market being valued at US$8.63bn in 2024. Now, according to Global Newswire, the MEA data centre market is predicted to reach US$19.89bn by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 14.93%.

In considering these developments, Data Centre Magazine spotlights some of the leading figures in MEA driving innovation and change across the data centre industry.

10. Wabo Majavu, Executive Strategy and Business Operations at Africa Data Centres

Wabo Majavu has more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and has become an expert in driving a clear strategy across all aspects of business operations and product management. She joined Africa Data Centres in January 2023 and is based in South Africa.

Prior to joining Africa Data Centres, she was a Senior Market Advisor for Mobile Networks at Intelsat and has worked for leading organisations such as CSIR, MTN and Digital Terrestrial Network.

9. Tarek Al Ashram, CEO & Founder at Gulf Data Hub

Tarek Al Ashram has been CEO of Gulf Data Hub since he first founded the company in 2011. With him at the helm, the company’s mission is to provide a world-class carrier and vendor neutral data centre in the MEA region. 

According to Tarek, Gulf Data Hub prides itself on maintaining neutrality to increase its range of customers. He hopes that this will lead the company to become the region’s first choice facility to store mission-critical equipment for businesses.

8. Ayotunde Coker - CEO of Open Access Data Centres

7. Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO at Khazna Data Centers

Hassan Alnaqbi is a transformative leader aiming to drive the evolution of digital infrastructure in the MEA region. As CEO, he has been instrumental in scaling the company into a global leader in hyperscale data centre solutions. 

Under his leadership, Khazna has been pivotal in enabling AI-driven economies, helping to position the UAE as a digital leader. Hassan’s focus remains on expanding Khazna’s global reach while empowering businesses to leverage the power of AI and data to meet future challenges.

6. Jonas Bogoshi, CEO at BCX

Jonas Bogoshi is a determined and principled leader who was appointed as CEO of BCX in 2018. He holds a deep knowledge and expertise of the ICT sector, having worked within it for nearly 30 years, which he brings to his leadership role.

As CEO, his aim is for BCX to build an agile ecosystem by partnering with small and medium-sized companies, in addition to building upon existing partnerships already established with bigger players.

5. Jan Hnizdo, CEO at Teraco Data Environments

Based in South Africa, Jan Hnizdo joined Teraco Data Environments in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer, before being appointed CEO in 2019. His role within the company has been instrumental, as he helped it develop from a start-up organisation to a leading data centre player across the African continent.

Prior to joining Teraco, Jan has an extensive background as a Chief Finance Officer (CFO) for several companies, in addition to being a manager for KPMG in the 1990s.

4. Snehar Shah, CEO at IXAfrica

Appointed as CEO at IXAfrica in September 2023, Snehar Shah now oversees the leading developer and operator of hyperscale-ready data centres in East Africa. With an extensive background in the telecommunications space, having worked for the likes of Orange, Snehar is using his expertise in building and running businesses to drive the company to new heights.

Snehar has previously held key leadership roles in finance and strategy across the UK, Europe and East Africa.

3. Mouna Essa-Egh, Vice President MEA, Secure Power Division and Datacenter Business at Schneider Electric

Mouna Essa-Egh has worked within the IT industry for more than 20 years, holding diverse sales manager roles across a range of technology-led industries. She has worked all around the world and is now based in the UAE.

Joining Schneider Electric in 2018, Mouna helps data centre managers to build sustainable and efficient data centre buildings. She is responsible for the IT section of the company in the Middle East, offering world-class data centre solutions to enhance sustainability and efficiency.

2. Mara Manni, Senior Data Center Operations Program Leader for Middle East and Africa at Microsoft

Mara Manni joined Microsoft to support its MEA data centre ventures in 2023 with the goal of innovating operations processes to impact financial results. Her role sees her building up Microsoft’s data centre capabilities within the Middle East, in addition to committing to diversity and inclusion within the company.

She joined the tech giant after spending three years at KPMG and 14 years at fellow tech giant IBM. With both of these companies, she has built plenty of experience in leading cross-culture and international teams across the Middle East and is now an expert in performance management, professional service operations, innovation and technology and automation transformation.

Based in Dubai, UAE, Mara is a committed diversity and inclusion ambassador.

1. Hussain Sajwani, Founder & Chairman at DAMAC Group (Edgnex)

Hussain Sajwani is a businessman and founder of DAMAC Properties, a global property development company and a pioneering figure in the Middle East. He founded DAMAC in , which has since grown to become one of the largest property development companies in the Middle East.

He has ensured that innovation and digitisation are central to DAMAC Group’s business ethos, which has ventured into the data centre industry through DAMAC Data Centres

Innovation and digitisation are central to DAMAC Group's business ethos, which has ventured into the data center industry through DAMAC Data Centres. At the start of 2025, the company confirmed a US$20bn investment in the US specifically to build new data centres. 

In a follow-up press release published 8th January 2025, the Dubai-headquartered global infrastructure company EDGNEX Data Centers by DAMAC announced its strategic entry into the US data centre market.

To read the full article in the magazine, click HERE.