Image credit : Unctad
UN Trade and Development (Unctad) has reported that out of $1.6 trillion global foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2025, data centres accounted for attracted more than one fifth of global greenfield projects, with announced investment exceeding $270 billion.
In the report published on 20 January , Unctad, said that the demand for data centers investment was driven by AI infrastructure and digital networks.
The report reads: ” France, the United States and the Republic of Korea led as host countries, while emerging markets such as Brazil, India, Thailand and Malaysia also attracted major projects.
Similarly, the value of newly announced semiconductor projects rose by 35%.
By contrast, project numbers fell sharply by 25% in tariff-exposed, global value chain-intensive sectors. Textiles, electronics and machinery were particularly affected.
While investment in technology-driven, capital-intensive projects lifts overall FDI figures, flows remain highly concentrated and generate limited spillovers.
Policies should aim to link digital infrastructure investment more closely to skills development, innovation systems and local value creation.
