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Global investment firm KKR & Co. is eyeing an undisclosed stake in Dubai-based data center operator Gulf Data Hub (GDH), marking its first data center investment in the Middle East, according to a joint statement. The transaction is pending regulatory approval. While the size of KKR’s potential investment wasn’t disclosed, both plan to commit a combined USD 5 bn to support GDH’s regional and international growth plans.
IN CONTEXT- GCC countries’ abundant low-cost energy, vast capital reserves, and aggressive AI-driven ambitions have fueled a competitive race between the UAE and Saudi Arabia to expand data center infrastructure. As a result, financial hubs like Abu Dhabi and Riyadh are attracting increasing interest from global funds and private equity firms.
What they said: “Today's digital assets form the backbone of our data-driven society. With the world set to generate 1.5 times more digital data than just two years ago, the demand for data center capacity is skyrocketing,” according Waldemar Szlezak, global head of Digital Infrastructure at KKR. “[Our investment in GDH] reinforces KKR’s continued commitment to the Middle East, following our landmark investment in Adnoc Oil Pipelines as well our work with Etihad alongside Altavair AirFinance,” said Tara Davies, co-head of KKR EMEA and co-head of European Infrastructure.
About GDH: Founded in 2012, GDH is one of the Middle East’s largest independent carrier and vendor neutral data center platforms. It currently operates a total of seven data centers across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, with additional facilities planned in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, according to the release.
KKR has maintained a strong presence in the Middle East for over 15 years, with offices in Dubai and Riyadh, and a track record of strategic investments in infrastructure and aviation, including partnerships with Adnoc and Etihad Airways. KKR has emerged as a leading investor, managing USD 77 bn in assets (AUM) and committing over USD 29 bn to digital infrastructure and USD 15 bn to energy. Its expansive data center portfolio comprises more than 100 facilities worldwide, with investments in renewable energy projects exceeding 50 GW.
