Palm Beach, Florida — Emirati billionaire Hussain Sajwani has announced plans to invest $20 billion in the United States data centre industry, marking a significant boost to the sector as it rapidly expands to meet growing demand. The announcement was made on Tuesday during an event at former US President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida.
Sajwani, chairman of Dubai-based real estate developer Damac Properties, said the investment could exceed $20 billion if market opportunities allow. “We’re planning to invest $20 billion and even more than that, if the opportunity in the market allows us,” Sajwani stated, emphasizing the potential for growth in the US data infrastructure sector.
The announcement comes as Trump, fresh off his election victory, has renewed his focus on fostering domestic investment and strengthening key industries. The President-elect has proposed higher tariffs on Chinese goods and taken steps to restrict China’s access to advanced data centre technology, aligning with his broader economic policies.
Sajwani, who has long-standing ties to Trump, shared a photo on Instagram days before the announcement, featuring himself celebrating the New Year with Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago. The caption read: “Starting the New Year with President Trump and Elon Musk at Mar-a-Lago,” further highlighting his close relationship with the former President.
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Damac is also known for owning the Middle East’s only Trump-branded golf course, located in Dubai, which opened in 2017.
A Wave of Data Centre Investment
The announcement is the latest in a series of high-profile investments in the US data centre and AI sectors. Last month, Trump and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son revealed plans for a $100 billion US investment by the Japanese tech giant, focusing on artificial intelligence.
Microsoft, a key player in the generative AI boom, recently disclosed plans to invest $80 billion this fiscal year to expand its AI capacity. This surge in investment follows the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in late 2022, which spurred global demand for generative AI technologies and the infrastructure needed to support them.
Economic Promises Amid Past Challenges
Trump has a history of touting large-scale investments to stimulate economic growth, though not all have materialized as planned. Early in his first term, he announced a $10 billion investment by Foxconn in a Wisconsin factory, which promised thousands of jobs but was largely abandoned.
As the US tightens restrictions on exporting advanced AI chips to China under the Biden administration, Sajwani’s pledge aligns with Trump’s strategy of bolstering domestic industries and curbing reliance on foreign technology.
Sajwani’s significant commitment to the US data centre industry signals confidence in its long-term growth potential and reinforces the sector’s role as a cornerstone of technological innovation and economic development.
