The move gives Qatar enterprises and state organisations direct access to GPU‑accelerated services across the NVIDIA AI Enterprise stack, enabling rapid model development, testing and scaling in-country. Ooredoo, designated an NVIDIA Cloud Partner, ensures users can deploy AI workloads securely and comply with Qatar's Digital Agenda 2030 and National AI Strategy.
Sheikh Ali Bin Jabor Al‑Thani, chief executive of Ooredoo Qatar, asserted that the AI infrastructure equips “start‑ups to government entities” with the tools to transform ideas into solutions, drive economic growth and enhance citizen services—underlining Qatar’s ambition to lead regionally in digital innovation.
Syntys, Ooredoo’s data‑centre business carved out in March, manages mission‑critical HPC environments on behalf of clients, enabling handling of extensive datasets securely at high throughput. Since its spin‑out, Syntys has operated 26 facilities across Qatar and neighbouring markets, with the firm planning to scale capacity beyond 120 MW through a US$1 billion capital commitment.
Ooredoo is not alone in adopting sovereign AI clouds; telcos worldwide, including Ooredoo in other markets, SoftBank and Singtel, have embarked on similar AI “factory” models in partnership with NVIDIA—aimed at reducing dependence on hyperscalers and reinforcing data sovereignty. Qatar’s initiative reflects this broader global trend.
That trend is underscored by last year’s agreement between NVIDIA and Ooredoo to deploy AI technologies across data centres in five Middle Eastern nations—Qatar, Algeria, Tunisia, Oman and Kuwait—and the Maldives. Despite US export controls on cutting‑edge chips, the agreement made Qatar the first regional user of NVIDIA’s tech, granting Ooredoo’s clients a competitive edge for up to two years.
This flagship deployment forms part of Ooredoo’s ambitious data‑centre expansion strategy. The operator is investing US$1 billion to boost capacity—initially from approximately 40 MW to around 120 MW—aimed at meeting rising demand for AI and cloud services across the region. Growth has been supported by a QR2 billion financing facility for Mena Digital Hub, its data‑centre arm.
Challenges remain. Construction lead times of 18–24 months for new facilities, regulatory oversight, and pressures on chip availability—especially under US licensing restrictions—represent hurdles. Ooredoo has addressed export‑licensing complexities by excluding Chinese hardware in centres servicing Western clients, ensuring compliance and supply chain integrity.
Ooredoo’s sovereign AI cloud enhances its appeal to domestic public‑ and private‑sector clients seeking compute‑intensive AI solutions subject to data residency rules. By combining NVIDIA’s GPU prowess with Syntys’ local infrastructure, Ooredoo positions itself as a primary local AI enabler—offering direct access to accelerated computing under a secure, sovereign framework.
This strategic pivot embeds Ooredoo deeper into Qatar’s digital DNA. It aligns with government policy driving digital transformation, stimulates local AI development, and broadens market opportunities via new services. With Syntys established as a regional data‑centre powerhouse and NVIDIA integration complete, Ooredoo is well‑placed to capture growing AI investment flows.
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