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UAE’s Khazna secures $2.6b loan to expand data centers

Khazna Data Centres, a UAE-based data center operator, has secured a US$2.6 billion credit facility from local banks to support its UAE and global growth strategy.

The 10-year facility was arranged by Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB).

Khazna plans to use the funds to expand its operational footprint, with two new facilities in Abu Dhabi, one in Dubai, and an AI-enabled data center in Ajman.

The company is also pursuing data center projects in France, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, and Kenya, aiming for a total capacity of 1 gigawatt.

🔗 Source: Khazna


🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ UAE emerges as top global data center investment destination amid AI boom

The $2.62 billion facility reflects broader momentum positioning the UAE as a premier data center hub globally.

Abu Dhabi and Dubai were ranked as the top two emerging data center markets worldwide by Cushman & Wakefield in 2025, based on power availability, fiber connectivity, and development pipeline strength2.

This ranking coincides with explosive market growth. The UAE’s hyperscale data center market is projected to surge from $1.15 billion in 2025 to $5.97 billion by 2031, representing a 31.42% compound annual growth rate3.

The growth is largely driven by AI infrastructure demands, with power requirements expected to more than double from 597 MW to 1,507.9 MW over the same period as high-density AI workloads require significantly more energy than traditional computing3.

Major projects like the Stargate UAE initiative, backed by OpenAI, Oracle, and Nvidia, aim to deliver 5 GW of capacity, demonstrating the scale of international commitment to the region2.

2️⃣ Khazna’s expansion strategy leverages UAE’s geopolitical advantages for regional dominance

Khazna’s 1 GW expansion plan across multiple countries reflects a strategic approach to capture the fragmented MENA market through UAE-based infrastructure expertise.

The company’s partnership with NVIDIA to build AI factories includes certified designs for data halls up to 50 MW and AI clusters reaching 250 MW, positioning them to serve the region’s growing demand for high-performance computing4.

This expansion strategy benefits from the UAE’s role as a neutral, high-capacity hub, enhanced by the country’s $1.4 trillion investment pledge to the U.S. economy, which strengthens tech sovereignty and geopolitical stability for international clients5.

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