Gulf Capital Powers BRICS+ Growth Through Digital Infrastructure and AI

In recent years, capital from the Arabian Gulf has emerged as a transformative force in advancing infrastructure and digital ecosystems across BRICS+ nations. Traditionally known for oil and gas wealth, Gulf states are strategically repositioning as global investment hubs focused on technology, infrastructure, and sustainable development—ushering in a new era of South-South cooperation.

Landmark Investments in Turkey’s Digital Future

A standout example is Turkey, a prospective BRICS+ partner and regional digital leader. UAE-based Castle Investments, spearheaded by Gulf Data Hub founder Tarek Al Ashram, partnered with Turkish e-commerce giant Trendyol to build a $500 million data centre in Ankara. This facility will offer 48 megawatts of computing capacity, fueling both Trendyol’s expansion and services for external clients.

Complementing this, Dubai Islamic Bank and Emirates NBD have extended over $263 million in credit to Turkcell, Turkey’s telecom giant, aiming to expand data centre infrastructure. Dubai-based Khazna Data Centres is also investing in the Ankara hub, planning an AI facility with up to 100MW capacity.

Bridging Infrastructure Gaps to Boost Industrialisation

These investments highlight how Gulf capital accelerates infrastructure modernization—a critical bottleneck in many BRICS+ economies. By funding telecommunications, logistics, and clean energy projects, Gulf investors help close gaps that constrain growth, providing not only capital but also technology transfer and operational expertise.

Turkey’s growing digital infrastructure is a case study in how targeted finance catalyzes broader industrial development and regional integration, setting a replicable model for BRICS+ countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

Fueling Innovation and South-South Collaboration

Gulf-funded data centres and AI platforms create fertile ground for startups, SMEs, and research institutions to thrive. As CyBridge Capital CEO Gökhan Say notes, expanded infrastructure attracts more market players, fostering vibrant innovation ecosystems and global connectivity.

Geopolitically, Gulf-BRICS+ partnerships underscore a shift toward a multipolar world, where Global South countries increasingly finance and collaborate with one another. These investments bolster financial independence and strengthen the strategic ties central to BRICS+ cooperation.

A Strategic Lever for Global Development

Far from opportunistic finance, Gulf investment in digital infrastructure and AI represents a deliberate strategy to empower BRICS+ development goals. The partnership between Trendyol and Castle Investments symbolizes a new architecture of cooperation where capital, technology, and trust flow southward, driving sustainable growth and reshaping the future of global development.

{Source: IOL}

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