About US

Building Sovereign Digital Infrastructure for the AI and Data Economy

What is
Desert Dragon?

Desert Dragon, our flagship Tier III–aligned hyperscale facility, represents a new standard for mission-critical infrastructure in the region.

Designed specifically for GPU clusters, AI models training, and high-density compute environments, the Desert Dragon campus integrates advanced thermal engineering, resilient power architecture, and intelligent operational platforms, enabling organizations to deploy AI workloads at scale within the Kingdom. As KSA accelerates its transformation into a global technology hub, Desert Dragon stands at the intersection of AI innovation, digital sovereignty, and infrastructure resilience, enabling enterprises, governments, and innovators to build the next generation of intelligent systems.

Vision

To build Saudi Arabia’s leading sovereign AI infrastructure platform, delivering hyperscale data centers engineered end-to-end, from silicon to power and cooling, to support AI, HPC, and the Kingdom’s digital economy.

Mission

To power Saudi Arabia’s AI and digital transformation by delivering resilient, high-performance infrastructure that enables innovation, strengthens industries, and advances sovereign technological capability.

Chairman’s Message

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is advancing through one of the most profound and ambitious transformations in its history. Guided by Vision 2030, the Kingdom is emerging as a global hub for digital innovation, advanced industries, and a competitive knowledge-based economy. At the heart of this transformation lies Artificial Intelligence (AI), a strategic technology that will redefine national capabilities, economic productivity, and the everyday lives of citizens.

Desert Dragon (DD) Data Centers was established to help realize this by building the essential compute infrastructure. Our mission goes far beyond traditional data center development. We design next‑generation environments purpose‑built for high‑performance, high-density, direct-to-chip and immersive cooling systems tailored for GPU workloads, and intelligent, autonomous operations that safeguard stability, security, and efficiency at scale.

With more than 25 years of legal and strategic experience supporting the growth of the Kingdom’s critical sectors, I recognize the vital importance of digital sovereignty and resilient infrastructure. Desert Dragon is committed to maintaining full control over our data and accelerating innovation across the defense, finance, healthcare, and education sectors in the Kingdom, empowering the next generation of talent to lead in an increasingly competitive global landscape.

I am honored to contribute to the Kingdom’s digital future—building infrastructure that strengthens national capabilities, attracts global investment, and positions Saudi Arabia at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Mohammed Aldhabaan
Chairman
Desert Dragon Data Centers

Sustainability

Sustainability is central to Desert Dragon (DD) Data Centers’ design philosophy. Our facilities are engineered to deliver high-performance digital infrastructure while minimizing environmental impact and supporting the Kingdom’s long-term sustainability goals under Vision 2030. Our Data Centers incorporate advanced energy management strategies, efficient cooling technologies, and optimized power distribution architectures to reduce operational energy intensity while supporting high-density compute environments.

Through integrated infrastructure design, Desert Dragon ensures that performance, reliability, and sustainability work together rather than in opposition. Our campuses are designed to achieve industry best practices in energy efficiency through:

High-efficiency electrical distribution
Intelligent cooling systems optimized for AI workloads
Heat rejection systems designed for desert climates
Advanced monitoring of energy utilization and environmental performance

Our Ethos

Desert Dragon (DD) Data Centers operates on a simple but powerful philosophy, that guides us how to design infrastructure, manage operations, and build relationships with organizations that rely on us as the foundation of their digital future based on the following business acumen:

Deliver measurable value while maintaining trust, resilience, and accountability. Inspired by the values that guide our sister organization, ICS Arabia, our ethos is built around four core principles:
Operate with transparency, accountability, and disciplined governance in every aspect of our operations.
Embrace emerging technologies and continuously evolve our infrastructure to support the next generation of digital platforms.
Offer mission-critical infrastructure and advanced technology based on demand, with uncompromising reliability.
Engineer systems to deliver predictable performance under the most demanding operational conditions.
Partnership for long-term success comes from collaboration with customers, partners, and the communities we serve.

Green Commitment

While renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower offer significant long-term opportunities, they are not yet capable of supporting mission-critical infrastructure independently. Desert Dragon, therefore, adopts a balanced hybrid energy model that prioritizes reliability while steadily improving sustainability metrics over time. This approach ensures that the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure remains both environmentally responsible and operationally dependable.

Building sustainable digital infrastructure in the KSA requires a pragmatic and balanced approach. Desert Dragon recognizes that hyperscale data centers must maintain continuous availability while progressively integrating environmentally responsible practices. Our facilities incorporate:

LEED-aligned architectural design principles
Advanced cooling technologies that reduce water consumption
Energy-efficient electrical systems and intelligent load management
Optimized airflow and heat containment systems
Infrastructure capable of integrating renewable energy sources as they mature

Desert Dragon Board of Advisors

Meet the Team

Our Desert Dragon (DD) “A-team” brings together deep experience in technology infrastructure, data center operations, enterprise IT, engineering, and international business development. Together, they combine global expertise with strong regional insight to deliver world-class digital infrastructure for Saudi Arabia. Building the Infrastructure for Saudi Arabia’s AI Future – our Data Centers are more than a data center developer.

Our Certifications

Desert Dragon holds industry-leading certifications, ensuring compliance with the highest standards in data center development and operations.

Dr. Kholood Al Netaifi

Physician, Regulatory & Government Affairs Leader

Advisory Focus: Regulatory Strategy | Health & Safety Systems | Government Affairs | Crisis Leadership | Diversity & Inclusion Alignment

Dr. Kholood Al Netaifi is a prominent Saudi regulatory and government affairs leader whose career spans more than two decades across national institutions central to policy development, oversight, and public‑sector modernization. Her work with the Ministry of Health (MOH) included advising on strategic programs, primary care development, and crisis‑response operations at the national level, giving her a deep operational understanding of government systems, decision‑making frameworks, and inter‑agency coordination mechanisms—capabilities essential for guiding the deployment of emerging technologies within high‑governance environments.

As a highly respected Saudi woman leader, Dr. Kholood strengthens Desert Dragon’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 priorities. Her growing specialization in advanced digital systems and AI, combined with her extensive policy and regulatory experience, enables her to bridge the intersection of technology, governance, and national security considerations. Her presence institutionalizes credibility and supports the company’s mission to deploy advanced technologies responsibly, safely, and in full compliance with national development and regulatory expectations.

Tobias Hooton

Senior Managing Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Evermere

Advisory Focus: Strategic Capital | Advanced Technology Systems | Global Scaling & Infrastructure

Tobias brings two decades of global leadership across capital markets, advanced technology, and large-scale infrastructure—experience directly aligned with Desert Dragon’s mission. In his role as the Board’s Advisor, he will help with global strategic insight, ensuring the company’s innovations align with the technological, economic, and geopolitical shifts defining the next decade. His presence strengthens Desert Dragon’s ability to build a future-ready platform with the scale, sophistication, and credibility required to lead technology transformation in KSA. As CEO of Evermere, Tobias leads high-stakes investment and technology initiatives spanning critical global systems, including advanced computing, digital infrastructure, AI-driven platforms, and sovereign-grade economic architecture. His work advising sovereign funds, institutional investors, global financial partners, and technology operators gives him a unique perspective on how frontier technologies transition from prototype to scalable national capability. What sets Tobias apart is his rare combination of founder-level operational expertise and institutional investment acumen. He has built and exited multiple technology ventures, giving him a hands-on understanding of system design, scalability, and technical execution. At the same time, he has structured and led complex, high-value transactions that shape national and regional infrastructure.

Sajid Khan

Director of Procurement

Sajid Khan manages the global supply chain and procurement strategy for Desert Dragon’s infrastructure programs. His leadership ensures access to world-class equipment vendors, reliable supply networks, and efficient procurement practices for mission-critical infrastructure.

Farah Zeid

Director of Administration

Farah Zeid leads Desert Dragon’s administration, focusing on workforce development, talent acquisition, and leadership development. Her mission is to build a high-performance team capable of supporting the Kingdom’s growing technology sector.

Martin R. Portocarrero

Director of Finance

Martin Portocarrero oversees financial strategy, capital planning, and investment management for Desert Dragon Data Centers. His role ensures financial discipline across infrastructure development while supporting long-term sustainable growth.

Ahmad Mansour

Executive Director of Engineering

Ahmad leads the design and delivery of hyperscale infrastructure supporting 187 MW of AI-ready data center capacity at Desert Dragon Data Centers. He specializes in mission-critical power systems, advanced cooling technologies, including direct-to-chip and immersion cooling, and engineering strategies aligned with Uptime Institute, TIA-942, and ASHRAE standards.

Muzammil Ahmed

Vice President, ICT & Information Technology

Muzammil Ahmed leads enterprise technology integration across Desert Dragon’s operational ecosystem. His responsibilities include network infrastructure, digital operations platforms, cybersecurity architecture, and integration of advanced monitoring systems that enable intelligent data center operations.

Abdullah Almazny

General Manager

Abdullah Almazny oversees regional operations, regulatory coordination, and organizational execution within the Kingdom. His leadership ensures that Desert Dragon maintains strong alignment with Saudi regulatory frameworks while delivering efficient operational management across all facilities and projects.

Khanh Ho Si

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Khanh Ho Si directs the technology architecture and infrastructure engineering for Desert Dragon Data Centers. With deep expertise in hyperscale infrastructure design, cloud architecture, and advanced data center technologies, he leads the development of systems that support high-density AI compute environments and next-generation cooling technologies. He ensures that Desert Dragon’s facilities remain at the forefront of AI infrastructure innovation.

Khurram Shah

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Khurram Shah leads the operational and strategic development of Desert Dragon’s hyperscale data center platform. With extensive experience in global technology infrastructure, digital transformation, and mission-critical operations, he oversees the planning, construction, and operational execution of the company’s AI-ready data center campuses. His leadership focuses on delivering resilient infrastructure platforms that support next-generation AI workloads and sovereign digital ecosystems.

Mohammed Aldhabaan

Chairman

Mohammed AlDhabaan provides strategic leadership and long-term vision for Desert Dragon Data Centers. With extensive experience across government collaboration, infrastructure development, and strategic investment initiatives in the Kingdom, he guides the organization’s role in supporting Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. His leadership ensures that Desert Dragon’s growth aligns with national priorities under Vision 2030 while fostering partnerships that accelerate technological innovation across the Kingdom.

About Us

What is Desert Dragon?