Khaberni - From a political project with no purpose to a sovereign project that pays off debt, creates jobs, and places Jordan on the artificial intelligence map
Amman – While the public debate is preoccupied with internal "corridor" projects that add nothing to the economy, a rare regional opportunity presents itself before Jordan: a sovereign terrestrial data corridor linking UAE's accelerating computing capabilities with Europe through Jordan, transforming the kingdom into a digital transit hub and a location for high-value data and cyber services centers. The motivator? A real transformation in the internet and AI maps of the region, and serious efforts to build alternative, safer routes than the Red Sea.
Why now?
A new regional path towards Europe is emerging: international reports revealed advanced discussions between Saudi Arabia and Syria to establish a fiber network that directly links the Gulf to Europe by land – a project "SilkLink" – creating a terrestrial passage through Jordan towards the Mediterranean.
The fragility of the Red Sea has become costly: sea cable disruptions in 2024–2025 reminded of how fragile the maritime route is and its impact on the region's speed and services, prompting the search for alternative low-latency and safer routes.
UAE's capabilities are expanding rapidly: from Microsoft's investment of $1.5 billion in G42 to "Khazna" plans to increase more than 1 gigawatt of capacity across the Middle East and Europe over the next five years. The demand for reliable corridors to Europe is escalating. On November 5, 2025, a 200-megawatt expansion in the UAE was also announced through "Khazna".
Integration of the Mediterranean: The Medusa project began landing procedures in Tartus, which strengthens the Mediterranean routes and increases the East-West connection opportunities, which Jordan can capitalize on through protected land crossings.
Where do the interests of Jordan and the UAE intersect?
The UAE is building the supercomputing/AI compute layer and expanding its European presence.
Jordan possesses a pivotal location, regulatory stability, and a national vision for artificial intelligence (Strategy 2023–2027), preparing it to be the low-latency “smart corridor” between the Gulf and Europe.
What is "SilkLink" and how is it related to Jordan?
Available data points to a national fiber project in Syria worth $400–500 million, approximately 4,500 km long, with a capacity that could reach up to 500 terabits/s, to bypass the fragility of the Red Sea and open a terrestrial path towards the Mediterranean. Any terrestrial path between the Gulf and the Mediterranean naturally needs to pass through Jordan to ensure continuity and security with low latency.
---
A practical roadmap within 12 months
1. Sovereign announcement: Launch of the Jordan–EU Data Corridor as a priority national infrastructure project.
2. Fiber transit agreements: Tripartite understandings (UAE–Jordan–Saudi Arabia/Syria) to secure rights and connections at Omari–Jaber through neutral exchange points (Carrier-Neutral).
3. "Dark Fiber" market: Enabling operators – including UAE partners – to lease long paths on the Amman–Mafraq–Ramtha and Ma'an–Aqaba axes.
4. National Internet Exchange Point (IXP): Establishing Tier-1 IXP in Amman with direct links to Marseille/Palermo/Palma.
5. Incentives for data centers: Customs and tax exemptions for DC equipment, and allocation of land for solar and wind power in Ma'an/Tafilah with long-term purchase contracts (PPA).
6. Landing-Lite: Virtual connection with the marine landing sites in Tartus/Latakia through a protected terrestrial route until the new cables are completed.
7. Data sovereignty and security: Jordanian sovereign cloud framework compliant with ENISA/ISO and European data protection requirements (DPA) to facilitate the digital services trade.
8. Competitive transit tariffs: Transparent model for 100/400/800G capacities with service level agreements (SLA) for latency.
9. Jordanian–Emirati executive agreement: Attracting Khazna and G42 to build Edge DC in Amman and a Point of Presence (PoP) in Mafraq for direct connection of UAE networks.
10. Joint cybersecurity unit: Jordanian–Emirati SOC to secure the path and exchange points, penetration tests, and business continuity plans.
11. Human capital: A skills program for 5,000 network/cloud/DC engineers in cooperation with UAE partners and Microsoft.
12. International marketing: The campaign Jordan: Europe’s Low-Latency Gateway from the Gulf targets content providers (Hyperscalers/OTT/CDNs).
---
Success indicators (to be finally determined after a detailed feasibility study)
Reducing latency between Abu Dhabi–Amman–Marseille by ≥30%.
Adding ≥120 terabits/s of transit capacities within 18 months.
Attracting ≥300 megawatts of data center capacities within 3 years.
5–7 thousand direct and indirect jobs in fibers, data centers, and cybersecurity.
Risks and their management
Geopolitical/regulatory: Addressed through reciprocal transit agreements and transparent governance of the path.
Technical/security: Diversifying paths, comprehensive encryption, and a joint SOC.
Energy and infrastructure: A renewable mix with PPA and priorities allocated for vital loads.
Jordan isn't limited to superficial media options; rather, it faces a real sovereign project that generates financial returns and job opportunities and contributes to debt reduction through a digital transit industry with profitable margins. If we move quickly, we'll transform the "cable issue" from a threat to a competitive advantage: a safe terrestrial corridor that links UAE’s massive computing with Europe and establishes Jordan as a sovereign digital gateway between the Gulf and Europe.
