Equinix is investing over $1 billion in a new 100MW data center in Saudi Arabia, aimed at supporting local and international businesses. The Leap summit also featured significant funding announcements for AI technologies, a data center academy from Microsoft, and training initiatives by Huawei. In total, Saudi Arabia’s pledges to boost its tech sector have reached $21 billion in recent days.
Equinix is planning to invest over $1 billion in a new data center located in Saudi Arabia. This announcement was made during the Leap summit held in Riyadh, where the company disclosed that the facility would have a power capacity of 100MW. Judith Gardiner, Equinix’s vice president for emerging markets, highlighted that the center will serve both hyperscale and retail customers, benefiting businesses in Saudi Arabia and the wider region.
Additional details regarding the data center’s specifications have yet to be disclosed. Concurrently, the Leap summit also saw significant announcements in the tech sector, with Saudi Arabia’s start-up ecosystem receiving $494 million in funding aimed at advancing AI technologies. Investors such as STV, Rua Ventures, Beco Capital, and Waed Capital are backing these initiatives.
In addition to Equinix, Microsoft announced its plans to establish a data center academy in collaboration with the National Information Technology Academy based in Dammam. Huawei also aims to open a Future Skill Centre to train 25,000 individuals in AI, cloud computing, and big data technologies within the next five years.
Furthermore, DataVolt, a Saudi developer, is planning to construct a data center campus with a massive 1.5GW capacity in Neom City. Overall, recent pledges to enhance Saudi Arabia’s capabilities in AI and data centers have reached approximately $21 billion. Equinix already has an established presence in the Middle East, operating facilities in Oman, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi.
In summary, Equinix’s substantial investment in a new Saudi data center will enhance infrastructure for local and regional businesses. This initiative is part of a larger trend, as Saudi Arabia actively promotes its tech sector through significant investments in AI and data capabilities. The collaborative efforts of various companies signal ongoing growth and development in the region’s digital landscape.
Original Source: www.datacenterdynamics.com
