Saudi Arabia Invests $12.8 Billion to Build Massive Data Center at Oxagon

Saudi Arabia is building a $12.8 billion data center at Oxagon, a major milestone in its Vision 2030 agenda.

Introduction

Saudi Arabia is investing $12.8 billion to build one of the world’s largest data center at Oxagon, a key part of the futuristic NEOM city in Tabuk Province. This project aims to enhance the kingdom’s digital infrastructure, contributing to its Vision 2030 goal of reducing dependence on oil and becoming a global technology hub.

Saudi Arabia, via its Public Investment Fund (PIF), plans to invest $100 billion in AI and tech by 2030

Major tech giants like Oracle, AWS, IBM, and ServiceNow are also involved, signaling the kingdom’s growing prominence in the digital economy.

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Key Developments

  • A $12.8 billion investment for a new data center in Oxagon.
  • The center will have 1 GW of capacity, boosting Saudi Arabia’s data infrastructure.
  • The project supports the kingdom’s push for digital transformation and cloud services.
  • Major global tech companies are investing heavily in Saudi Arabia’s tech ecosystem.
  • Gaming, esports, and 5G technologies are driving the demand for more data capacity.

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Oxagon’s Role in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

Oxagon, part of the NEOM project, is a major player in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and reduce reliance on oil. The data center being developed at Oxagon will provide critical support for the country’s digital future. NEOM itself is designed to be a hub for innovation, sustainability, and advanced technologies, making it the perfect location for this massive data center.

A $12.8 Billion Investment in Data Infrastructure

The Oxagon data center will have a 1 GW capacity, positioning it as one of the most advanced data centers in the Middle East.

This major investment is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure. As businesses and government agencies increasingly rely on digital services, the need for scalable and reliable data center has never been higher.

Global Tech Giants Invest in Saudi Arabia’s Digital Economy

Several leading global tech companies are partnering with Saudi Arabia to help develop its digital infrastructure.

Oracle is investing $1.5 billion to expand its cloud presence, while AWS has committed $5.3 billion to enhance its regional infrastructure.

IBM has also made a significant investment in Saudi Arabia, establishing a $250 million software lab in Riyadh. These investments indicate the growing importance of the kingdom as a regional tech hub.

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Rising Demand for Data Infrastructure

The demand for data center in Saudi Arabia is increasing rapidly. With 5G coverage expanding across the kingdom, applications such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), autonomous vehicles, and IoT require high-capacity data center. These technologies rely on fast, efficient data processing and storage, which is pushing the need for more infrastructure.

In addition, the rise of cloud services across various industries, including banking, healthcare, and government, is further driving the demand for robust data solutions.

As the shift to the cloud accelerates, Saudi Arabia must expand its data infrastructure to keep up with the growing demand.

The Impact of Gaming and Esports on Data Demand

Saudi Arabia is also becoming a leader in gaming and esports, with the government planning to invest $500 million in an esports city.

This investment will significantly increase the demand for data centers to support high-performance gaming, live streaming, and large-scale competitions.

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The gaming and esports industry is expected to become a major contributor to the country’s digital economy.

The Rise of IoT and Edge Computing

IoT and edge computing technologies are crucial to Saudi Arabia’s future digital economy. The kingdom is investing in these technologies to support smart cities and industrial automation.

Companies like iot squared are already integrating IoT solutions into major infrastructure projects. Edge computing, which processes data closer to the source, will complement traditional data centers and reduce latency, enabling faster, real-time decision-making.

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Job Creation and Economic Growth

High-Capacity Data Centers Boost Jobs and Investment

The development of high-capacity data centers will create thousands of jobs. Roles in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and data engineering will be in high demand.

These projects will attract more foreign investment. Global companies are keen to join Saudi Arabia’s growing tech ecosystem.

This focus on digital infrastructure will drive economic growth and foster innovation. It will also help develop local talent and skills.

Saudi Arabia’s Position as a Tech Leader

Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a leader in digital transformation. It is building a robust data infrastructure to support cloud computing and AI.

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Investments in IoT and data centers are key to this strategy. The country is fostering a dynamic and competitive tech ecosystem. Rising demand for data services ensures Saudi Arabia stays ahead in technology.

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Conclusion

Saudi Arabia is investing $12.8 billion in a state-of-the-art data center at Oxagon. This move supports the kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals. Global tech giants are increasing their investments in Saudi Arabia. The rapid growth of 5G, IoT, and cloud services is driving this expansion. Saudi Arabia is set to become a leader in the global digital economy. Rising data demands and new technologies fuel this transformation. The kingdom’s commitment to data infrastructure will power its digital future.

Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL).

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