Gain insights into how sovereign wealth funds and private equity are shaping AI and digital infrastructure—Join #ALTSME on December 3
Saudi Arabia is in early talks with leading private equity firms, including Blackstone and BlackRock, to raise significant private capital for its ambitious data center buildout. The discussions, led by Humain—the kingdom’s newly launched AI company owned by the Public Investment Fund—signal the country’s intent to accelerate its digital infrastructure strategy and capture AI-driven growth.
The kingdom aims to develop up to 1.5 gigawatts of data center capacity by 2030, one of the largest national data center projects in the Middle East, according to the U.S. International Trade Administration. Leveraging its abundant energy resources and land availability, Saudi Arabia plans to establish itself as a regional leader in hyperscale computing.
This potential collaboration reflects a broader trend of private equity involvement in global data infrastructure. Both Blackstone and BlackRock have invested billions into the sector. Blackstone recently unveiled plans to invest $25 billion in Pennsylvania’s digital and energy infrastructure, including its $1 billion acquisition of the Hill Top Energy Center. Similarly, KKR has entered the Gulf market with a stake in UAE-based Gulf Data Hub, committing over $5 billion in data center projects.
Source: PitchBook
