Page 43 - SAMENA Trends - June-July 2025

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Cisco Joins Stargate UAE Initiative

Cisco the global leader in networking power of AI and deliver the infrastructure infrastructure buildouts, leveraging the
and security, announced the signing of a that will enable tomorrow’s breakthroughs.” company’s deep expertise in networking
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) The announcement follows Robbins’ recent and security together with longstanding
to join the Stargate UAE consortium as a visit to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and regional partnerships. By fostering the
preferred technology partner. The strategic the UAE where Cisco announced a series development of secure, AI-powered digital
MoU, signed by Cisco’s Chair and Chief of strategic initiatives across all phases infrastructure and collaborating with key
Executive Officer Chuck Robbins together of the AI transformation in the region. Cisco partners, the company is delivering
with other consortium partners, G42, These new initiatives employ Cisco’s world-class, trusted technology to the
OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA and SoftBank trusted technology across the region’s AI region.
Group, envisions the construction of an
AI data center in Abu Dhabi with a target
capacity of 1 GW, with an initial 200 MW
capacity to be delivered in 2026. As a
partner in this initiative, Cisco will provide
advanced networking, security and
observability solutions to accelerate the
deployment of next-generation AI compute
clusters. “With the right infrastructure in
place, AI can transform data into insights
that empower every organization to
innovate faster, tackle complex challenges,
and deliver tangible outcomes,” said Chuck
Robbins, Cisco Chair and CEO. “Cisco is
proud to join this consortium to harness the

Satellite Operator Eutelsat Announces Raise
$1.35 Billion Capital Rise

European satellite operator Eutelsat is €57.8m ($66.55m). Eutelsat also said APE State and the ongoing commitment of
set to raise more than $1.5 billion to fuel will acquire the shares in the company our other anchor shareholders – Bharti,
its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) ambitions, led currently held by Bpifrance Participations. CMA CGM, and FSP and thank them for
by the French government. The company Following the two transactions, and subject their confidence.” Discussions are also
announced a €1.35 billion ($1.55bn) to participation from investors, the French ongoing with other interested parties,
contemplated capital raise, anchored by State would hold a stake of 29.99 percent the company said, including the UK
key shareholders, to “secure the execution of the capital and voting rights, while Bharti government via the Secretary of State for
of [its] long-term strategic vision.” “This Space Limited, CMA CGM, and FSP would Science, Innovation and Technology, which
capital increase would represent a pivotal hold 18.70 percent, 7.81 percent, and 5.22 could join the capital raise in due course.
step in Eutelsat’s strategic and financing percent of the share capital and voting rights, The UK currently owns around 10 percent
roadmap, enabling the execution of its respectively. Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat via its previous investment in
strategic vision,” Eutelsat said. “Coupled of Eutelsat Group, said: “Eutelsat enters a OneWeb. Eric Lombard, French Minister
with a dedicated debt refinancing plan, new chapter, centered on the deployment of for the Economy, Finance and Industrial
this capital increase will reinforce LEO, a major innovative and technological and Digital Sovereignty, added: “The French
the Company’s financial flexibility by revolution for the Satellite industry. Thanks State is proud to contribute to strengthening
accelerating its deleveraging and support to its differentiated GEO-LEO positioning Eutelsat’s capital structure and support
investment in its existing LEO capabilities and global coverage, Eutelsat is ready to the company at [a] pivotal stage of its
and the future IRIS² constellation.” become a central player in the development development. This transaction reflects our
Investors would include the French State of the European sovereign space of strong commitment towards a major player
via the Agence des Participations de l’Etat tomorrow.” He continued: “I welcome the in satellite connectivity — a strategic sector
(APE) for €526.4m ($606m), Bharti Space contemplated capital increase, which at the heart of Europe’s digital sovereignty
Limited for €31.4m ($36.15m), CMA CGM will give Eutelsat the requisite financing — while fostering remarkable potential for
for €100.4m ($115.6m), and Le Fonds to implement its strategic roadmap. I technological innovation and sustainable
Stratégique de Participations (FSP) for am grateful for the support of the French economic growth.
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