AI could unlock $1 trillion for Mena region by 2030, WEF research shows

AI’s trillion‑dollar outlook for Mena

Research from the World Economic Forum suggests that artificial intelligence could generate roughly $1 trillion for the Middle East and North Africa if deployed efficiently, with the target year set at 2030. The findings were released alongside two reports published as the Forum and the Government of Dubai hosted the inaugural Annual Meeting of Global Future Leaders.

Maroun Kairouz, managing director of the WEF, said, “Mena has the resources, investment capacity and ambition to become a major centre of AI‑led growth,” and added that turning that ambition into reality will require innovation across data‑centre infrastructure, energy and water systems, and the application of AI to drive sustainability solutions.

Insights from the Global Future Leaders meeting

The three‑day gathering in Dubai brought together hundreds of leaders and experts from around the world to hold intergenerational conversations aimed at tackling future challenges. Nedaa Almubarak, managing director of SRMG Think, noted that Mena is uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of digital infrastructure by combining its energy capabilities, investment capacity and technological ambition. She explained that the opportunity lies in aligning intelligent infrastructure with efficient resource use to build resilient, sustainable and competitive digital ecosystems that drive long‑term economic growth and innovation.

The event continues until Thursday.

Investment plans and sector‑specific opportunities

According to the WEF analysis, using AI for growth in sustainability and economic sectors could yield up to $200 billion in sustainable financing through the financial sector, $370 billion in sustainable investment flows enabled by the public sector, $250 billion in long‑term asset losses avoided, $90 billion in increased valuation from improved sustainability performance in the energy sector, and $100 billion in sustainable projects launched via cross‑sector partnerships. Together these figures exceed $1 trillion.

Experts say the region is ripe for this growth but will need cross‑sector collaboration. Case studies highlighted how UAE and regional firms are already applying AI to sustainable initiatives, citing First Abu Dhabi Bank in sustainable finance and Adnoc in the energy sector.

The United Arab Emirates has been at the forefront of AI investment. The US‑UAE AI Acceleration Partnership has produced an AI campus in Abu Dhabi and a $1.4 trillion investment plan spread over the next 10 years. Separately, Abu Dhabi is committing $3.54 billion to integrate AI technology into government public services, with the rollout planned for completion by next year.

A second report warned that the expansion of data centres to power AI infrastructure could increase consumption of energy and water, a concern given the region’s extreme heat and water scarcity. It flagged data‑centre cooling, which uses large volumes of water, as a priority area for innovation and the adoption of sustainable methods to ensure long‑term efficiency and resilience. Nonetheless, experts pointed out that connecting new data centres to the grid in Mena can be completed in two to five years—far quicker than in many mature markets—highlighting the region’s plentiful opportunities for digital infrastructure growth.