Prime Highlight
- Saudi Arabia is strengthening its AI and digital infrastructure with a $1.2 billion financing framework to develop large-scale AI data centres.
- The initiative aims to support enterprise computing needs and position the Kingdom as a regional technology hub under Vision 2030.
Key Facts
- Infra and Humain plan to develop up to 250 megawatts of AI data centre capacity, serving both domestic and international markets.
- The agreement includes exploring a dedicated AI data centre investment platform to attract local and global institutional investors for future expansion.
Background
Saudi Arabia is moving to strengthen its artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure with a new financing framework worth up to $1.2 billion, as it works to become a regional technology hub.
The National Infrastructure Fund (Infra) and Humain, an artificial intelligence company backed by the Public Investment Fund, have agreed on funding terms to support the development of large-scale AI data centres across the Kingdom. The non-binding agreement was announced on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos.
Under the framework, the two organisations plan to develop up to 250 megawatts of AI data centre capacity. These facilities will serve Humain’s customers in Saudi Arabia as well as regional and global markets. The initiative aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programme, which aims to diversify the economy and boost technology-driven growth.
Tareq Amin, chief executive officer of Humain, said demand for advanced computing power is rising quickly. He added that the agreement allows Humain to respond faster and build AI infrastructure at scale. He said the company aims to deliver reliable, world-class data centres as enterprise computing needs become more complex.
As part of the deal, Infra and Humain will also study the creation of a dedicated AI data centre investment platform. The platform would bring in global and local institutional investors to help fund the future expansion of Humain’s AI strategy.
Infra CEO Esmail Alsallom said the agreement marks an important step in attracting infrastructure investment into the Kingdom. He noted that the partnership supports the growth of the digital economy through advanced AI infrastructure.
Humain has increased its activity in recent months. In December, it awarded Al Moammar Information Systems a contract to design and build an AI-focused data centre. It has also partnered with Saudi Telecom Co. to develop AI data centres, with plans for facilities capable of scaling up to 1 gigawatt of power, starting at 250 MW based on demand.
