Dubai billionaire Hussain Sajwani invests $2.3 billion in Indonesian data centers

In recent developments, Hussain Sajwani, a billionaire from Dubai, has confirmed a substantial $2.3 billion investment in Indonesia's burgeoning digital infrastructure market. This project, through Edgnex Data Centers, will see the development of a 144-megawatt data center in Jakarta, emphasizing the growing demand for efficient cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities in Southeast Asia. As of Wednesday, construction is already underway, with the first phase of this ambitious project slated to commence operations by the end of 2026. Sajwani's decision to deepen Damac Group's investment in Indonesia is driven by the increasing scale of artificial intelligence workloads and the corresponding need for more powerful infrastructure. His commitment to Southeast Asia, where previous investments have exceeded $3 billion in digital infrastructure, indicates a strategic focus on an area projected to experience robust data center growth. Notably, this marks Damac's second significant data center project in Indonesia, following the establishment of a 19.2-megawatt center in Jakarta’s MT Haryono area, which will enter phase one by the third quarter of next year. Indonesia is rapidly emerging as a key player in the Southeast Asian data center landscape, attracting attention from various investors. For example, the Widjaja family's Sinarmas Land is partnering with K2 Strategic, led by Malaysian billionaire Robert Kuok, to construct a 100-megawatt data center in Bekasi, eastern Jakarta. Additionally, DCI Indonesia has ambitious plans to expand its capacity, surpassing 120 megawatts with new facilities expected to open early next year, underlining the fierce competition and opportunities within the sector. As global demand for digital infrastructure continues to soar, especially due to the rise in AI applications, it is clear that companies like Damac are positioning themselves at the forefront of this evolution. The move not only represents a significant financial commitment but also reflects the strategic importance of Indonesia in the broader Southeast Asian digital economy. The ongoing developments in Jakarta are likely to further solidify the region's status as a hot spot for data centers and digital innovation as the country continues to build its technological framework in an increasingly digital age.