stc’s centre3 and PIF-Backed Humain Forge Joint Venture to Build AI Data Centres in Saudi Arabia
Telecom giant stc and sovereign AI champion Humain partner to deliver high-capacity infrastructure for next-generation artificial intelligence workloads
Saudi Arabia’s stc Group and Humain, a national artificial intelligence firm owned by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund, have formalised a strategic joint venture to build advanced AI data centres in the Kingdom as part of a broader push to lead in digital infrastructure.
The agreement, announced on Thursday, will see the companies pool their expertise and resources to develop and operate next-generation facilities capable of hosting up to one gigawatt of AI workloads, underlining Riyadh’s ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
Speaking on the partnership, stc Group chief executive Olayan Alwetaid said that the venture will combine centre3’s extensive data centre footprint and regional connectivity with Humain’s full-stack AI capabilities to create resilient, low-latency infrastructure required for large-scale compute.
Centre3 is stc’s digital infrastructure arm responsible for a growing portfolio of data facilities across the Middle East.
Fahad AlHajeri, chief executive of centre3, emphasised that the new joint venture will host critical digital assets, support large language models and mission-critical AI applications, and accelerate the development of an AI ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
Humain’s chief executive, Tareq Amin, highlighted the importance of purpose-built compute capacity and infrastructure designed to meet the demands of future advancements in artificial intelligence.
The partnership amplifies existing initiatives within the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which prioritises diversification of the economy through technology, cloud computing and innovation.
Humain has already commenced construction of its first standalone data centres and secured regulatory approval to import advanced U.S. AI chips, with initial facilities expected to become operational in 2026. Earlier collaborations also include Humain’s engagements with leading global technology firms to deploy infrastructure and hybrid edge-to-cloud services.
Beyond raw compute capacity, the centre3–Humain venture is expected to foster innovation, attract international investment and bolster Saudi Arabia’s position in the global digital economy.
The agreement, announced on Thursday, will see the companies pool their expertise and resources to develop and operate next-generation facilities capable of hosting up to one gigawatt of AI workloads, underlining Riyadh’s ambition to become a global hub for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.
Speaking on the partnership, stc Group chief executive Olayan Alwetaid said that the venture will combine centre3’s extensive data centre footprint and regional connectivity with Humain’s full-stack AI capabilities to create resilient, low-latency infrastructure required for large-scale compute.
Centre3 is stc’s digital infrastructure arm responsible for a growing portfolio of data facilities across the Middle East.
Fahad AlHajeri, chief executive of centre3, emphasised that the new joint venture will host critical digital assets, support large language models and mission-critical AI applications, and accelerate the development of an AI ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.
Humain’s chief executive, Tareq Amin, highlighted the importance of purpose-built compute capacity and infrastructure designed to meet the demands of future advancements in artificial intelligence.
The partnership amplifies existing initiatives within the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy, which prioritises diversification of the economy through technology, cloud computing and innovation.
Humain has already commenced construction of its first standalone data centres and secured regulatory approval to import advanced U.S. AI chips, with initial facilities expected to become operational in 2026. Earlier collaborations also include Humain’s engagements with leading global technology firms to deploy infrastructure and hybrid edge-to-cloud services.
Beyond raw compute capacity, the centre3–Humain venture is expected to foster innovation, attract international investment and bolster Saudi Arabia’s position in the global digital economy.
