DCD>Connect | MENA 2026

DCD>Connect | MENA 2026 is DCD's annual flagship conference for the Middle East and North Africa data center market, held October 26 to 27, 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Dubai in Dubai Healthcare City. The event gathers 2,500+ senior leaders from across the MENA digital infrastructure ecosystem. Co-located with the DCD>Investment Forum | MENA, which convenes C-suite operators, developers, financiers, and investors on Day 2.

New for 2026: a "5x5 Lightning Pitches" format gives partners 5 minutes and 5 slides to showcase innovations; a closed-door, three-course lunch focuses on Power, Cooling, and Capacity Planning (invite only); an exclusive executive dinner caps Day 1.

Programming Focus

• MENA data center market growth and sovereign AI ambitions
• Energy, power, and sustainability at regional scale
• Cooling, design, and AI infrastructure readiness
• Subsea cables, interconnection, and regional connectivity
• Investment, M&A, and project finance for MENA infrastructure
• Hyperscaler expansion and local partnerships

Format

• Interconnect Lounges on the expo floor
• Silver service lunch briefings and technology exchange sessions
• Closed-door debates and executive roundtables
• Morning 5K run and icebreaker networking party
• DCD>Investment Forum | MENA co-located on Day 2

Featured Speakers (2025 carry-over and confirmed)

• Kamel Al Tawil, Managing Director MENA, Equinix
• Greg Jasmin, Head of International Client Development, Khazna Data Centres
• Sreekanth Pisharody, Director of Investments and Financing, DataVolt
• Ras Scollay, Director of Data Center Business, Du
• Tassos Peppas, Regional Director MEETCA, Vertiv
• Charbel Aoun, Power Division Lead MEETCA, Vertiv

Full 2026 speaker roster is not yet public.

Sponsors and Partners

Vertiv (Founding Partner), CommScope, SPP Pumps (Kirloskar Brothers Group), Corning, Roxtec, SEM Shred, Jaymie Scotto & Associates (marketing partner), DataSphere Works, Nomad Futurist, and Airedale by Modine. Formal Diamond/Platinum/Gold tier breakdown not yet published.

Who Should Attend

• Regional data center operators and developers
• Hyperscalers expanding in MENA
• Sovereign wealth and infrastructure investors
• Telcos and subsea cable operators
• Utility and energy partners
• Engineering and construction firms
• Regulatory stakeholders

Logistics

Venue: Grand Hyatt Dubai, Oud Metha Road, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE. Event dates October 26 to 27, 2026. TIA partner codes offer complimentary end-user passes and 20% supplier discounts. Organized by Data Centre Dynamics Ltd.