Hussain Sajwani, the Dubai-based billionaire, has publicly committed to investing $20 billion in U.S. data centers, a venture he announced during a press conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. This investment comes as part of a broader strategy to enhance the technology and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure across the United States, marking a significant foreign billionaire partnership with President-elect Donald Trump.

At the session, Trump praised Sajwani, describing him as “one of the most respected business leaders in the Middle East.” Sajwani’s firm, DAMAC Properties, has established a history of collaboration with Trump, including the development of Trump-branded projects in Dubai.

Sajwani, estimated to be worth around $5.1 billion, outlined his ambitious plans to build data centers in states like Arizona, Texas, and Michigan. He noted, “This investment will support massive new data centers and keep America on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and technology” (Indiatimes). He further indicated that the investment could ultimately exceed $20 billion, depending on market conditions.

During the interaction, Sajwani expressed optimism about the upcoming administration. “We wanted to see a more friendly administration,” he said, emphasizing the strategic timing of his investment propelled by Trump’s election victory. Sajwani also mentioned, “We’ve been studying the market and we think it’s the right time now. There’s a huge demand for AI” (Forbes).

In recent years, Sajwani has made significant investments across various sectors, including a reported $2 billion in American private equity firms and startups, as well as partnerships with innovators such as Elon Musk and investments in AI companies like Anthropic and xAI (Forbes).

Sajwani plans to fund the $20 billion project through his new data center arm, Edgnex, which was launched in 2021. This funding cadre includes approximately $7 billion to $8 billion from his own resources, while the remaining capital will come from bank loans to cover about two-thirds of the costs. Sajwani's confidence in the market is rooted in his track record with DAMAC, which has seen a surge in property sales recently, boasting about $5.1 billion in cash flow as of June 2024.

As the U.S. competes in the global AI race, data centers have become pivotal assets. Notably, Microsoft announced an immense $80 billion expenditure for data facilities in 2025 alone. Sajwani’s venture into the sector signifies his commitment to harnessing this growth, which he anticipates will be complemented by supportive policies under Trump’s administration.

“If the administration helps investment in creating more electricity, that’s the only thing you need because the U.S. has plenty of land,” Sajwani said. He also highlighted the potential for expedited reviews for any company investing $1 billion in the country, a plan Trump reiterated during the announcement.

Sajwani remains optimistic about future collaborations and investment opportunities, hinting at the possibility of taking Edgnex public in the future or inviting external investors, demonstrating his vision for extensive growth in not just the U.S. but also global markets (Forbes, Indiatimes).

As a prominent player in both the real estate and technology sectors, Hussain Sajwani’s $20 billion pledge is a significant move that reinforces his long-standing relationship with Trump while establishing a foothold in the vital data center industry.

For more information, visit the original articles on Indiatimes and Forbes.