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Middle East Renewable Energy Surge: A 2025-2027 Outlook

by News Editor

March 7, 2025

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the renewable energy landscape in the Middle East is set to enter an exciting phase of growth. The agency’s latest ‘Electricity 2025’ report forecasts a 14% annual increase in renewable generation from 2025 to 2027.

Solar PV On The Rise

A key player in this growth story is solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, which is anticipated to boost its share in renewable energy production from 55% to nearly 70% by 2027. The UAE is leading this charge with a remarkable 23% average annual growth in solar PV generation.

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Nuclear And Gas: Complementing The Mix

Complementing the solar growth, nuclear energy has seen significant development, particularly in the UAE, with a 20% increase in power generation for 2024. Meanwhile, gas-fired power remains a dominant source in the region, supported by a shift from oil to gas, with a forecasted average annual growth of 5.3% through 2027.

As these developments unfold, the Middle East is positioning itself as a dynamic player in the global renewable energy arena.

Microsoft Bets Big On South Africa With $297M AI And Cloud Investment

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 7, 2025

Microsoft is doubling down on its commitment to South Africa, pledging an additional 5.4 billion rand ($297 million) by 2027 to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in the country.

The announcement, made by Vice Chairman Brad Smith in Johannesburg, comes ahead of a key South African investment conference and adds to the 20.4 billion rand Microsoft has already poured into Africa’s most industrialized economy.

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Driving Growth Through AI And Talent

Beyond boosting infrastructure, Microsoft is making a play for South Africa’s digital future. Over the next year, the tech giant will fund certification exams for 50,000 young people, equipping them with in-demand digital skills to fuel economic growth and innovation.

South Africa has struggled with sluggish economic expansion—averaging under 1% growth annually for more than a decade—and is actively courting private-sector investment to accelerate momentum.

Big Tech’s Race For Africa

Microsoft was an early mover in South Africa’s cloud computing race, launching data centers in Johannesburg and Cape Town long before Amazon and Google entered the market. The company is now ramping up capacity with a new facility in Centurion, Gauteng, while also spearheading a $1 billion geothermal-powered data center in Kenya.

President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the move, calling Microsoft’s investment a vote of confidence in South Africa’s economic potential. “This company really has an African heart,” he said, underscoring the country’s efforts to position itself as a prime destination for global tech investment.