Sami Abi Esber, President of MDS SI, discusses how artificial intelligence is reshaping the regional data center landscape. From high-density, AI-ready infrastructure to sustainability and sovereign cloud initiatives, Esber shares insights on MDS’s 44-year partnership with Vertiv and its pivotal role in driving the Middle East’s digital infrastructure revolution.
How is the regional data center business evolving with AI adoption?
AI has become the primary driver for data center growth in the Middle East. There is a growing demand for high-density, AI-ready facilities equipped with advanced cooling and power systems. Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar are leading the region, supported by sovereign AI programs and the expansion of hyperscalers. Key differentiators now include power availability, efficiency, and sustainability.
What makes MDS’s partnership with Vertiv so enduring?
Our 44-year partnership is built on trust and historical success, which has led us to hold the largest market share in Data Center Site Preparation in the region. MDS’s local expertise, combined with Vertiv’s leadership in power, cooling, and AI-ready infrastructure, creates an unbeatable combination. Together, we have evolved through every technology wave—from main frame, then client-server to AI infrastructure—and we continue to invest jointly in skills and capacity.
How would you sum up MDS’s journey in the data center space?
We began in 1981 by preparing white space rooms for mini-computers in the oil and gas industry. Over time, we progressed to preparing computer rooms for client-server environments, eventually growing into full design-build-operate capabilities for large data centers.
Today, we are a regional leader in modular and high-density data centers. MDS is now powering the majority of the region’s AI transformation through our end-to-end infrastructure expertise and strategic alliances.
What’s your outlook for the future of data centers in the region?
The future looks promising and AI-driven. The next wave will focus on scalable, sustainable, and high-density data centers utilizing liquid cooling and integrated renewable energy. With continued government investment and strong regional demand, the Middle East is poised to become a global digital infrastructure hub.
