W.Media’s Cloud & Datacenter Awards encourages industry transformation and innovation by recognising achievement and excellence.
Since 2018 our following has grown exponentially across the Middle East. IT and data centre professionals from both established and younger markets have come forward in multitudes to network and learn through W.Media’s platforms and the Awards are following that path.
For the Awards, we are championing our 3 P’s for the Cloud and Datacenter industry: Projects, Planet, and People.
The Awards will celebrate their winners after the Dubai Cloud and Datacenter Convention which will be followed by networking and drinks. The Awards are a celebration for the industry of hard work, achievements and innovation.
W.Media Middle East Cloud and Datacenter Awards
Thursday, 11th September 2025
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai, UAE
Thursday, 11th September 2025
JW Marriott Marquis Hotel, Dubai, UAE
The winners of the 2025 W.Media Middle East Awards will be revealed at our highly anticipated Dubai Cloud and Datacenter Convetion, taking place on 11th September 2025 in Dubai. This exclusive evening will bring together 500+ industry leaders for a day full of networking, connection, and recognition of the region’s most outstanding innovators in Cloud and Data Center.
To elevate your brand visibility and engagement with decision-makers, we encourage you to explore our exclusive sponsorship opportunities.
This award recognizes excellence in the planning, design, and construction of a new data center facility. Entries will be evaluated on how effectively the project team met or exceeded key objectives—such as timeline, budget control, and sustainability benchmarks—while demonstrating innovation in architectural and engineering approaches.
Judges will look for clear alignment between the project vision and execution, including unique design features, construction methods, and stakeholder collaboration that contributed to successful delivery.
Eligible entries must involve the design and build of a new data center located within the region, with the majority of work completed between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025.
This award celebrates the most impactful use of digital technology within the data center environment—technologies that enhance performance, reliability, efficiency, or operational intelligence.
Eligible submissions may include (but are not limited to) innovations in BMS & DCIM platforms, AI-driven monitoring, automation systems, software-defined infrastructure, cybersecurity solutions, predictive maintenance, digital twins, or energy optimization tools.
Entries will be judged on how effectively the technology improves the data center’s operational outcomes, scalability, sustainability, or user experience. Special consideration will be given to deployments that demonstrate measurable benefits, seamless integration, and forward-looking innovation.
This category is open to both vendors and operators, provided the solution has been deployed within an operational data center in the region between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025.
This award recognizes outstanding innovation in the engineering of data centers purpose-built or retrofitted to support GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) workloads. As AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing drive a surge in demand for GPU infrastructure, this category highlights the cutting-edge engineering solutions that enable scalable, resilient, and energy-efficient GPUaaS environments.
Eligible entries may showcase innovations in power and cooling design (e.g., high-density racks, liquid cooling, immersion systems), space optimization, fault tolerance, and sustainability measures specific to GPU deployment. Projects should demonstrate how engineering adaptations meet the unique challenges of GPU-heavy compute—including heat dissipation, latency sensitivity, and workload orchestration.
Entries must involve physical infrastructure projects or engineering innovations implemented in an operational or commissioned data center, with the majority of work completed between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025.
This award honors exceptional innovation in the planning, deployment, or modernization of Internet Exchange (IX) infrastructure that enhances regional or global interconnectivity.
Entries may include the launch of a new IX, significant upgrades to existing platforms, the introduction of automation or SDN capabilities, advancements in peering fabric scalability, or novel approaches to IX service delivery—such as edge deployments, cross-border integration, or sovereign infrastructure alignment.
Judges will assess how the deployment improves network performance, accessibility, and ecosystem growth—especially in underserved markets or latency-sensitive environments. Projects that demonstrate measurable improvements in throughput, participant diversity, routing efficiency, or service innovation will be highly regarded.
This category is open to IX operators, data center partners, and technology enablers, with eligible projects completed or substantially delivered between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025.
This award recognizes outstanding innovation in the engineering, deployment, or enhancement of subsea cable systems that enable global connectivity. As digital infrastructure becomes increasingly reliant on resilient, high-capacity subsea networks, this category celebrates pioneering projects that push the boundaries of marine network design, performance, and integration.
Eligible entries may include innovations in route design, cable architecture, landing station engineering, optical amplification, cable protection, or integration with terrestrial backhaul and data center ecosystems. Projects that address challenges such as latency optimization, geopolitical risk mitigation, cable resilience, or environmentally sustainable practices will be highly regarded.
Entries must involve a subsea system or component deployed or substantially advanced between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025, and demonstrate tangible benefits in capacity, reach, efficiency, or strategic relevance.
This category is open to subsea cable operators, infrastructure partners, network engineers, and system vendors involved in the technical execution of subsea projects.
This award honors outstanding achievement in embedding sustainability into the day-to-day operations of digital infrastructure—spanning data centers, networks, cloud platforms, and supporting systems.
Entries should demonstrate how operational practices have been redesigned or optimized to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance and reliability. Eligible initiatives may include improvements in energy efficiency (e.g., PUE optimization, AI-driven cooling), carbon footprint reduction, water conservation, waste management, circular economy practices, or the use of renewable energy in operations.
Judges will assess the measurable impact, scalability, and long-term viability of the initiative, with bonus consideration for innovations that go beyond compliance to set new industry benchmarks.
This category is open to operators, service providers, and technology enablers who have implemented impactful sustainability-focused operational strategies between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025.
This award recognizes exemplary achievement in embedding sustainability principles into the planning, design, and construction of digital infrastructure—whether new builds, retrofits, or expansions of data centers, network facilities, or edge deployments.
Entries should demonstrate how sustainable design and construction practices were prioritized from the outset, including (but not limited to) the use of low-carbon materials, modular or prefabricated construction, efficient land and water use, renewable energy integration, lifecycle carbon assessments, and alignment with green certifications (e.g., LEED, BCA Green Mark, or equivalent).
Judges will evaluate how sustainability was not just an afterthought but a core objective throughout the project lifecycle, with emphasis on innovation, measurable impact, and replicability across the industry.
Projects must be located within the region and have completed the majority of their design or construction work between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025.
This award recognizes outstanding efforts to incorporate sustainability into the planning, deployment, and lifecycle management of subsea cable infrastructure. As the backbone of global digital connectivity, subsea networks must also meet rising expectations around environmental responsibility and long-term impact.
Eligible entries may include sustainable innovations in cable manufacturing, route planning (to avoid ecologically sensitive areas), installation techniques, energy efficiency at landing stations, responsible materials usage, or circularity in equipment decommissioning. Projects that demonstrate compliance with international marine sustainability standards or apply novel approaches to minimizing carbon, ecological, and community impact are especially encouraged.
Judges will evaluate entries based on their measurable environmental impact, scalability, and integration into long-term operational models.
Projects must have seen substantial progress or deployment between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025, and be located in or connected to the region.
This award celebrates exceptional innovation in technologies, systems, or operational strategies that significantly improve energy efficiency within digital infrastructure environments—spanning data centers, networks, edge sites, and cloud platforms.
Entries may showcase advancements in areas such as high-efficiency power and cooling systems, AI-optimized workload and energy management, next-generation UPS and battery solutions, renewable integration strategies, or real-time monitoring platforms that enable energy-aware decision-making.
Judges will evaluate submissions based on their technical originality, demonstrated energy savings, and potential for broad industry adoption. Preference will be given to solutions that not only reduce consumption but also enhance resilience, scalability, and sustainability.
Eligible projects or technologies must have been deployed or commercially implemented between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025, within the region.
This category is open to operators, technology vendors, engineering firms, and infrastructure providers who are leading the way in redefining energy efficiency across the digital infrastructure landscape.
This award honors breakthrough innovations in the cooling of data centers—one of the most critical and energy-intensive aspects of digital infrastructure. As workloads grow more demanding and density increases, cooling solutions must evolve to deliver higher performance, efficiency, and sustainability.
Eligible entries may include new or improved technologies such as direct-to-chip or immersion cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, hybrid systems, AI-optimized airflow, or advanced thermal management platforms. Projects that demonstrate innovation in retrofitting legacy facilities, enabling liquid cooling readiness, or aligning with ESG targets will also be considered.
Judges will assess the technical ingenuity, efficiency gains, scalability, and impact on sustainability metrics such as PUE, WUE, and carbon footprint.
This category is open to data center operators, cooling technology providers, engineering firms, and integrators with solutions deployed or significantly advanced between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025.
This award recognizes an outstanding team responsible for the design and engineering of a data center project that demonstrates technical excellence, innovation, and effective collaboration across disciplines.
Judges will evaluate how the team successfully translated project objectives into a high-performing facility—balancing power and cooling efficiency, scalability, sustainability, cost control, and timeline adherence. Submissions should highlight how the team navigated complex challenges, introduced innovative engineering approaches, and worked cohesively with stakeholders (developers, consultants, contractors, and clients).
This category is open to in-house teams, joint ventures, or partnerships between firms involved in the delivery of new data centers, major retrofits, or high-impact upgrades.
Eligible projects must have reached a substantial design or delivery milestone between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025, within the region.
This award honors a data center operations team that has demonstrated exceptional performance, reliability, and innovation in managing and maintaining mission-critical infrastructure.
Entries should highlight how the team ensures uptime, safety, efficiency, and service quality—while navigating operational challenges such as scaling workloads, implementing automation, incident prevention, energy management, or sustainability practices. Judges will look for evidence of strong teamwork, process improvement (SOPs, MOPs, EOPs), risk mitigation, and a culture of continuous learning and excellence.
Eligible teams may be responsible for a single facility or multiple sites across a region. Both in-house and outsourced operations teams are welcome to apply.
The team’s achievements must be based on operational activity occurring primarily between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025.
This award recognizes a team that has made a significant impact in attracting, developing, and retaining talent within the digital infrastructure sector—including data centers, cloud, network, and engineering environments.
Entries should showcase how the team addressed critical workforce challenges, such as filling high-demand technical roles, improving diversity, reducing turnover, or building career pathways for emerging talent. Judges will look for strategies that go beyond recruitment—such as onboarding, learning and development, succession planning, workforce localization, and employee engagement initiatives that support long-term industry growth.
This category is open to internal HR or talent acquisition teams, as well as recruitment and workforce development partners working with infrastructure operators or technology firms.
Submissions must reflect programs or outcomes delivered primarily between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025, and demonstrate measurable results aligned with organizational or industry needs.
This award recognizes a team that has made a significant contribution to the industry through accurate, timely, and actionable market intelligence in the data center and digital infrastructure sector.
Eligible entries may come from research teams, strategy units, consultants, or analyst groups that specialize in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating insights on market trends, site selection, investment patterns, capacity tracking, regulatory shifts, or emerging technologies. Submissions should highlight how their intelligence has helped stakeholders—from developers and investors to operators and policymakers—make informed, strategic decisions.
Judges will evaluate the team’s work based on data quality, methodology, industry relevance, innovation in delivery, and demonstrated impact on project direction or business outcomes.
Entries must reflect major deliverables or impact achieved between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025, and may include published reports, advisory work, tools/platforms, or proprietary research programs.
This recognition honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in the development, deployment, or operation of hyperscale digital infrastructure—including data centers, cloud platforms, and global network ecosystems.
Nominees should be senior leaders or technical visionaries who have made a measurable impact on the growth, innovation, or resilience of hyperscale infrastructure across the region. This may include driving landmark projects, advancing sustainability at scale, navigating complex regulatory or geopolitical challenges, leading AI or GPU infrastructure rollouts, or transforming how hyperscale platforms engage with partners and communities.
Judges will assess each nominee’s influence, innovation, execution capability, and industry impact, with a focus on contributions made between 1st June 2024 – 31st May 2025
This category is open to individuals from hyperscale operators (cloud, content, and platforms) and their critical infrastructure teams (engineering, strategy, operations, sustainability, or interconnection).
This award honors exceptional individuals who have played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing strategic network infrastructure—spanning terrestrial fiber, subsea systems, IXPs, edge connectivity, and interconnection platforms.
Nominees should be visionary leaders driving transformative projects or strategies that enhance global and regional connectivity. This may include expanding cross-border infrastructure, enabling sovereign network resilience, modernizing peering ecosystems, or delivering breakthrough innovations in how networks are designed, deployed, or commercialized.
Judges will evaluate each nominee based on their strategic foresight, leadership influence, execution success, and industry impact—with a focus on initiatives and outcomes realized since August 1, 2024.
This category is open to individuals from telcos, carriers, hyperscalers, IXPs, subsea operators, infrastructure investors, and technology enablers working at the forefront of the network ecosystem.
Sponsoring the Middle East Awards puts your brand at the centre of W.Media’s regional impact—across the full Awards Season from May to December, not just during the awards ceremony at the end of the conference in Dubai.
Choose an award category that aligns with your solutions and messaging. As a sponsor, you’ll gain high-impact branding and thought leadership opportunities: digital keynotes to curated audiences, featured videos on our CenterStage platform, editorial coverage across W.Media channels, category branding during the live Awards segment, and more.
Want to know more?
Sponsorship slots are limited—get in touch with our organising committee at [email protected] or fill in the Online Form below to get involved and take advantage of this exclusive branding opportunity.
The Middle East’s most prestigious Cloud and Datacenter Awards conclude in style.
The Middle East Awards 2024 closed with a focused celebration of the region’s top performers in cloud, data centres, and digital infrastructure. Industry leaders were recognised for their impact, with strong attendance and meaningful networking throughout the evening. It delivered a high-impact event, highlighting key projects and people driving innovation and sustainability in the region. The awards wrapped up the 2024 season with clear recognition of the Middle East’s growing role in the global tech space.
Here is the Full List of 2024 Awards Winners of Middle East.
