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HUMAIN and DataVolt Expand Partnership to Build AI Data Center in Saudi Arabia's NEOM

By: IDCNOVARegion: Middle East
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) subsidiary HUMAIN and digital infrastructure firm DataVolt have announced an expanded partnership to develop an AI data center at Oxagon, the industrial zone within the Kingdom's flagship NEOM megaproject. The first 100 megawatts of capacity at the facility are expected to come online by 2028, according to a joint statement released on August 31.

The collaboration marks a significant step in Saudi Arabia's broader push to position itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence and cloud computing, aligning with the country's Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. By anchoring the project within NEOM's Oxagon development, the two companies are tapping into a purpose-built industrial ecosystem designed to support advanced technology and large-scale digital infrastructure.

DataVolt, a digital infrastructure company focused on sustainable data center solutions, will bring its expertise in energy-efficient design and operations to the project. The initial 100 MW phase represents a substantial commitment to meeting the growing demand for AI-driven compute capacity in the Middle East, a region that has seen accelerating investments in data center infrastructure over the past two years.

The expanded partnership underscores the strategic alignment between sovereign capital and private infrastructure players in the Gulf, where governments are actively courting international technology investment. For HUMAIN, which operates under the umbrella of Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the project supports the Kingdom's ambition to develop indigenous digital capabilities while attracting global technology partners.

Industry observers note that the NEOM data center project reflects a wider trend across the Gulf Cooperation Council states, where national funds are increasingly channeling capital into digital infrastructure as a core pillar of economic transformation. With the first phase slated for 2028, the development will likely serve as a reference point for future large-scale AI data center deployments in the region.