Brief
January 2025
UAE Bets Big on US AI & Infrastructure
UAE capital is powering America’s AI future: DAMAC’s $20B US data center investment, MGX’s role in Trump’s $100B Stargate AI plan, ADQ’s $1.2B mining joint venture and Masdar’s $6B solar-plus-storage mega-project all underscore how the UAE is fueling US innovation, energy security and advanced industry growth.
1 big thing: UAE’s DAMAC Commits $20B to US Data Centers
Speaking alongside US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, DAMAC Properties billionaire founder and CEO Hussain Sajwani confirmed that the company will expand into data infrastructure across Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma, Ohio, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan and Indiana. The initiative positions UAE capital at the heart of America’s AI expansion.
President Trump pledged his administration will fast-track environmental permits for major foreign investors, promising streamlined processes for those committing $1B+ into US projects.
Why it matters
- AI capacity depends on compute and power. DAMAC’s $20B investment builds the backbone for US AI and cloud services.
- Midwest states gain new growth. Targeted states are central to energy, land and connectivity needed for next-gen data infrastructure.
- Momentum is building. DAMAC joins other major investors like Japan’s SoftBank, highlighting America’s role as a global AI hub.
Additional stories shaping the UAE–US economic partnership:
Energy
The UAE is planning a $6B solar and battery mega-project that will add 5.2 gigawatts of solar capacity with 19 GWh of storage by 2027.
Led by Masdar and spanning 90 square kilometers, it will be one of the world’s largest solar-plus-storage facilities transforming renewable power into reliable energy and strengthening global energy security.
Advanced Manufacturing
Abu Dhabi’s MGX will play a major role in Trump’s Stargate AI infrastructure initiative, contributing around $7B.
MGX has also partnered with BlackRock and Microsoft on $30B of energy and data infrastructure projects, while investing in OpenAI, xAI and Databricks. The fund cements Abu Dhabi’s role as a global AI powerhouse.
Sovereign Wealth Funds
Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ signed a $1.2B mining and metals joint venture with Orion, deepening its investments in critical minerals.
The deal underscores the UAE’s role in securing supply chains for energy transition materials essential to powering AI, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.