Dubai, UAE – 15 December 2025 — Mastercard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Madari Space to explore potential collaboration in advancing next-generation digital infrastructure. The partnership will assess how emerging space-based technologies could support future data needs with a strong emphasis on security, resilience, and sustainability.
As global data volumes continue to rise, traditional terrestrial data centers face increasing physical, environmental, and operational constraints. In response, space-based data centers are gaining attention as a potential alternative, offering advantages such as enhanced resilience, energy efficiency, and improved system reliability.
Madari Space, an Emirati startup headquartered in Abu Dhabi, is developing advanced orbital data processing and storage capabilities designed to support sovereign and enterprise-grade digital infrastructure. Through this collaboration, Mastercard and Madari Space will explore how innovative space technologies can strengthen secure digital ecosystems and support future applications, including artificial intelligence and advanced data services.
Shareef Al Romaithi, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Madari Space, commented:
“Madari Space is redefining the future of sovereign data management by building secure, dedicated orbital data centers for governments and enterprises, adding unprecedented layers of resilience beyond terrestrial vulnerabilities. With Mastercard’s extensive global expertise in cybersecurity and digital trust, they are a valued technology collaborator as we jointly usher in a new era of secure, space-based digital infrastructure.”
J.K. Khalil, Executive Vice President and Division President, East Arabia at Mastercard, added: “At Mastercard, we are committed to harnessing the power of innovation to secure the entire digital ecosystem. Our collaboration with Madari Space reinforces our dedication to maintain continuity, security, and sustainability for decades to come through our Security Solutions. We look forward to sharing our expertise in developing secure, resilient, and sustainable technologies as we explore the next generation of infrastructure”
