A&O Shearman advised Boston information management services company Iron Mountain on its partnership with Qatari telecoms company Ooredoo Group to expand data center infrastructure across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Iron Mountain will take a minority equity stake in Ooredoo’s MENA Digital Hub—which received counsel from Baker McKenzie—enhancing hyperscale and AI capabilities.
Ooredoo plans to invest $1 billion to expand its capacity to over 120 megawatts, strengthening its market position.
The A&O Shearman team was led by partner Ben Ward in Dubai. Antwerp-based partner Filip Van Elsen advised Iron Mountain on the intellectual property aspects of the transaction documents and service arrangements, while London partner Lydia Challen assisted in relation to tax matters and Washington partner Mike Walsh advised on expert control and compliance.
The Baker McKenzie team was led by Dubai corporate partner Adnan Doha and London corporate partner Charles Whitefoord. The wider team included London partners Steve Holmes, who advised on technology, media & telecommunications (TMT), and Alistair Craig in relation to tax. Washington DC partner Geoff Martin advised on compliance.
The Ooredoo Group legal team was led by its general counsel, Georges Abi Saab. Moelis & Company acted as its financial adviser.
