Last May, Microsoft and the Emirati artificial intelligence company G42 announced a $1 billion investment project in Kenya, including the construction of a major data centre powered by geothermal energy. The initiative, backed by the US and UAE governments, was aimed at strengthening the US presence in Africa and counterbalancing Chinese influence.

However, concerns remain in the US about Microsoft's ability to secure its infrastructure against cyber threats, as well as the UAE's real commitment to distancing itself from its links with China, particularly in terms of access to NVIDIA H100 chips, which are essential to the AI race. The US fears that these technologies could fall into Chinese hands.

The future of this partnership will depend on the UAE's ability to convince the US administration to allow it to import these chips, which are essential to its AI ambitions.

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