Global data center operator, Equinix has announced plans to invest more than $1 billion in a new facility in Saudi Arabia. The announcement was made during the Leap summit in Riyadh, where the company revealed that the data center will provide 100MW of capacity.
Judith Gardiner, Vice President for Emerging Markets at Equinix, highlighted the strategic importance of the facility, stating, “The data center will facilitate our hyperscale and retail customers, companies in Saudi Arabia and beyond, and also bring many of our customers to the Middle East.” Further details about the project have not yet been disclosed.
The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia continues to attract significant investments in its technology sector. During the summit, the kingdom’s tech start-up ecosystem secured $494 million in funding for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, with backing from investors such as STV, Rua Ventures, Beco Capital, and Waed Capital.
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Meanwhile, Microsoft revealed plans to establish a data center academy in Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the Dammam-based National Information Technology Academy. Similarly, Huawei announced the launch of a Future Skill Centre aimed at training 25,000 people in AI, cloud computing, and big data over the next five years.
Additionally, Saudi-based developer DataVolt is set to build a 1.5GW data center campus in Neom City, further reinforcing the kingdom’s push towards becoming a regional technology hub.
In total, the past week has seen approximately $21 billion committed to enhancing Saudi Arabia’s AI and data center capabilities. Equinix already maintains a presence in the Middle East, with facilities in Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
