Global data centre investment and financing growth

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) in the communications sector reached a record $320 billion in 2025, largely propelled by a $235 billion increase in data centre investment compared to 2024. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) observed that data centres accounted for over one-fifth of all global greenfield project values during this period.

Following this surge in capital, the banking sector has expanded its financing for digital infrastructure. In Asia, credit for data center projects reached nearly US$ 29 billion since the start of 2025, with 2026 values showing a 27% increase over the previous year.

While demand is driven by cloud computing and artificial intelligence, lenders in the Asia-Pacific region are becoming more selective due to existing sector exposure. For example, in Indonesia, EDGE secured a US$ 530.2 million credit facility from a consortium of international and local banks. Financial institutions like Permata Bank have noted that while the sector aligns with digital needs, lenders must maintain cautious principles to ensure credit quality.