Facility management team oversees power, cooling and IT systems at a 45MW data centre on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi, UAE, August 25, 2025
The Gulf facility management sector is on a steady growth path, driven by public infrastructure, healthcare expansion, tourism and smart building adoption. The region’s market is valued in the tens of billions of dollars and is forecast to rise substantially over the coming years, with the UAE showing faster expansion. Outsourcing demand is increasing for both hard and soft FM services, especially in green and smart assets. A recent integrated FM contract for a 45MW data centre on Yas Island underlines rising demand for specialist teams that combine electrical, cooling and IT systems expertise.
New market figures show the Gulf facility management sector is sizable and expanding. The regional market is valued at USD 60.11 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 77.52 billion by 2030, implying a compound annual growth rate of about 5.22% through the period. At the country level, the United Arab Emirates market stood at USD 6.56 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 10.95 billion by 2030 at a faster pace, near 8.75% CAGR.
A new 45MW data centre campus on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi has come online recently. A global real estate and professional services firm has been appointed to deliver integrated facilities management for the site on behalf of the data centre operator. The scope includes detailed upkeep of low- and high-voltage electrical systems (UPS and switchgear), fuel systems using HVO-capable generators, support for hybrid air and liquid cooling, and ongoing network and ICT management. The facility represents the operator’s first site in the country and forms part of a broader regional buildout of data capacity exceeding 500MW across multiple territories.
Several persistent trends are driving demand for professional facility management across the Gulf:
The FM market now commonly offers integrated solutions across four practical areas: hard services (mechanical and electrical maintenance), soft services (cleaning and hospitality support), risk services (security, fire and compliance) and administrative services (helpdesk, procurement and asset records). The adoption of digital platforms, AI-based analytics, IoT sensors and robotics is accelerating. These technologies are being used for energy monitoring, predictive maintenance, occupancy sensing and automated workflows, which help facilities run more efficiently and support sustainability targets.
The regional market is competitive and features a mix of local and international operators. Activity in the sector includes acquisitions, partnerships and investment in technology to win larger integrated contracts. Notable service providers operating in the region include established FM firms and multi-service operators that cover facilities for hospitality, commercial real estate, healthcare and industrial customers.
Despite opportunity, the sector faces constraints: competition on price, strict regulatory and compliance requirements, and financing pressures on small and medium-sized suppliers. A widespread skills gap is highlighted in technical trades and digital FM competencies. Employers and policymakers are being pushed to invest in training and certification programs so technicians can manage modern HVAC, electrical and building automation systems.
Rising FM activity means developers, asset owners and operators must plan for long-term operational budgets, integrate smart systems from the design phase, and consider outsourcing where economies of scale and technology platforms can improve outcomes. In data centre projects in particular, specialized FM for power, cooling and network systems is critical to uptime and energy performance.
The regional market is valued at USD 60.11 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 77.52 billion by 2030.
The UAE market was estimated at USD 6.56 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach about USD 10.95 billion by 2030, reflecting roughly an 8.75% CAGR.
Facility management covers hard services (electrical and MEP), soft services (cleaning and custodial), risk services (security and fire safety) and administrative services (helpdesk, vendor management and asset records).
Healthcare, hospitality, retail, residential developments and data centres are among the leading sectors driving demand.
IoT sensors, AI-driven analytics, robotics for cleaning and automated maintenance platforms are reshaping operations and supporting energy and sustainability goals.
There is a notable shortage of skilled technicians and digital FM specialists; continuous training and workforce development are key priorities.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| GCC market value (2025) | USD 60.11 billion |
| GCC projected value (2030) | USD 77.52 billion (CAGR ~5.22%) |
| UAE market value (2024) | USD 6.56 billion |
| UAE projected value (2030) | USD 10.95 billion (CAGR ~8.75%) |
| Large new FM contract | 45MW data centre on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi — integrated FM for power, cooling and ICT systems |
| Primary growth drivers | Infrastructure projects, healthcare build-out, tourism expansion, smart city programs |
| Key challenges | Skills gap, price competition, regulatory compliance, SME financing constraints |
| Technology trends | IoT sensors, AI analytics, predictive maintenance, robotics, digital FM platforms |
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