The Middle East and Africa are entering a pivotal phase in their digital evolution, with 2026 expected to mark a major acceleration in AI‑driven infrastructure investment. According to Submer, a global leader in liquid‑cooling and high‑density data center technologies, the region is now transitioning into a new era defined by sovereign AI ambitions, gigafactory‑scale developments, and the rapid adoption of liquid cooling.
Khalid Aljamed, General Manager for the Middle East, Turkey & Africa at Submer, says the shift is both structural and strategic. “Governments across the region now view AI as a national asset,” he explains. “It sits on the same level as energy or security. That mindset is reshaping how countries plan, build, and control their digital infrastructure.”
Sovereign AI Becomes a Regional Priority
National programs such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s National AI Strategy 2031 are driving a decisive move toward sovereign AI capabilities. This includes retaining control over data, compute capacity, and the infrastructure that powers AI workloads.
“This is no longer policy on paper,” Aljamed notes. “We are already working with several governments on sovereign AI cloud initiatives. The momentum is real, and it will accelerate through 2026.”
Submer expects sovereign AI to be one of the strongest investment drivers next year, particularly as countries seek to build secure, scalable, and energy‑efficient AI ecosystems within their borders.
Gigafactory‑Scale Infrastructure Redefines the Market
Another major trend reshaping the MEA landscape is the emergence of gigafactory‑scale digital infrastructure. These are not incremental expansions but foundational builds that resemble industrial ecosystems.
“These projects require partners who can support the entire lifecycle—from early advisory and feasibility to design, deployment, and operational readiness,” Aljamed says. “That end‑to‑end capability is where Submer adds the most value.”
The company expects 2026 to bring a wave of hyperscale and national‑scale builds, particularly in markets such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, where AI ambitions are highest.
Liquid Cooling Becomes the Default for AI Compute
With AI processors surpassing 1,000 watts and rack densities exceeding 150–175 kW, traditional air cooling is no longer viable for advanced AI workloads. Liquid cooling—both direct‑to‑chip and immersion—is rapidly becoming the standard.
“The physics are non‑negotiable,” Aljamed says. “Air cooling has reached its limits. Liquid cooling is now the default for high‑density AI deployments, and Submer has more than a decade of experience delivering these technologies at scale.”
He adds that Submer’s goal for 2026 is to establish itself as the trusted partner for sovereign AI infrastructure across MEA, supporting governments and enterprises from initial vision through to full operational capacity.
Strategic Priorities for 2026
To meet rising demand, Submer MEA is executing a focused strategy built around four pillars:
- Flagship lighthouse projects: Delivering gigafactory‑scale deployments in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
- Regional Center of Excellence: Creating a hands‑on environment where stakeholders can experience Submer technologies.
- Advisory‑first engagement: Supporting governments, sovereign funds, and enterprises with long‑term AI and HPC infrastructure planning.
- IT Integration Services: Launching a full integration offering that provides a single point of accountability from cooling and power to server integration and operational handover.
“We are moving from ambition to execution,” Aljamed says. “Clients want partners who can deliver certainty at scale.”
Submer is also expanding selectively into high‑growth markets such as Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and Turkey, while continuing to evolve its technology stack with modular MEP systems, faster deployment models, and AI‑optimized data center reference designs.
Addressing Market Pressures and Execution Challenges
The 2024–2025 period was formative for Submer MEA, revealing both the scale of the opportunity and the operational realities of the region.
Many organizations are still defining their AI and data center roadmaps, prompting Submer to shift toward an advisory‑first model. “Stakeholders want clarity on strategy, feasibility, and long‑term economics before making hardware decisions,” Aljamed explains.
Building trust has also been essential. Submer established its MEA headquarters in Saudi Arabia and invested in local technical and commercial teams to strengthen regional presence. “In the GCC, trust is built through long‑term commitment,” he says. “You cannot support national‑scale projects remotely.”
Supply chain complexity remains a challenge, particularly for advanced AI and HPC deployments. Submer is addressing this through deeper OEM partnerships, in‑region inventory strategies, and local training programs to build specialized technical skills.
“Delivery certainty is critical when clients are making multi‑billion‑dollar infrastructure investments,” Aljamed emphasizes.
