HUMAIN has announced a US$3 billion partnership with Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) backed AirTrunk to build a new state-of-the-art data center campus in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership marks one of the largest single investments in digital infrastructure in the region to date. This is alongside other mega developments like the $5 billion 1.5 GW AI data center in Oxagon at Saudi’s NEOM.
The US$ 3 billion data center investment in Saudi aims to design a next-generation hyperscale facility to meet growing demand for AI, cloud computing, and high-performance data processing. HUMAIN will oversee local delivery under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), while AirTrunk will bring engineering and operational expertise from its established data center portfolio across Asia-Pacific.
Factsheet for the AirTrunk and HUMAIN US$3 Billion Investment in Saudi Data Center Campus
Developers: HUMAIN and AirTrunk
Project Type: Hyperscale data center campus
Location: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Investment: US$ 3 billion
Scope: Design, construction, and operation of a data center campus
Status: Pre-development phase
Project Timeline
December 2023: HUMAIN established under the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to lead Saudi Arabia’s AI and digital infrastructure investments.
May 2024: AirTrunk opens a regional hub and begins assessing development opportunities in the Gulf.
October 2025: HUMAIN and AirTrunk announce US$3 billion partnership to build a hyperscale data center campus in Saudi Arabia.
Outlook on AirTrunk and HUMAIN US$3 Billion Investment in Saudi Data Center Campus
The Partnership
The Blackstone-backed HUMAIN data center partnership in Saudi Arabia also highlights the shift toward localizing digital assets in the Middle East. This could just as well be in a bid to ensure data sovereignty, support AI innovation, and diversify economies away from oil and renewables. The project further consolidates PIF’s growing portfolio in technology assets, complementing other renewable, and semiconductor initiatives under Vision 2030.
Additionally, the partnership also aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 agenda to expand local cloud capacity and enhance energy efficiency in data infrastructure. This is also in a bid to attract global technology partners to the Kingdom.
The US$ 3 Billion Saudi Arabia Data Center
Development of the data center is expected to proceed in phases beginning in 2026. Initial works will most likely focus on site preparation, power connections, and modular facility design. The project will also likely integrate renewable energy inputs, smart-cooling systems, and data management architecture to meet environmental and operational standards increasingly demanded by global tech clients.
What to Expect of the AirTrunk-HUMAIN Data Center Campus in Saudi Arabia
Even with the project’s strong financial base challenges ought to be expected. These will range from securing sufficient grid and renewable (if needed) power, meeting sustainability standards, and managing costs amid a competitive regional construction market. The ever-evolving regulatory frameworks around data and cyber security may also impact project execution.
Impact on the Markets and the Region
Saudi Arabia’s entry into hyperscale infrastructure on this scale mirrors UAE-based Khazna Data Centers, Oman Data Park, and Qatar’s Meeza. Together, they underscore the region’s shift toward digital sovereignty and want for localized digital operations.
For Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), the project represents a major geographic expansion from Asia-Pacific into the Middle East. The investment is also expected to stimulate secondary investment in fiber connectivity and renewable energy supply.
