Image: Abu Dhabi Media Office
A consortium comprising MGX, the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP), and BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) said on Thursday it will acquire 100 per cent of Aligned Data Centers from Macquarie Asset Management and its co-investors, in a deal valuing the company at about $40bn
The transaction marks one of the largest-ever data infrastructure deals and will accelerate the build-out of next-generation cloud and AI infrastructure globally.
AIP, founded by BlackRock, GIP, MGX, Microsoft, and NVIDIA, aims to expand the capacity of AI infrastructure to support the growth of AI-driven economies. Its anchor investors include the Kuwait Investment Authority and Singapore’s Temasek.
In under a decade, Aligned has grown into one of the fastest-expanding data centre operators worldwide, designing and managing campuses for hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprise clients.
The company operates or has planned more than 50 campuses with over 5 gigawatts of capacity across key markets in the US and Latin America, including Northern Virginia, Dallas, Phoenix, São Paulo, Querétaro, and Santiago.
Under CEO Andrew Schaap, Aligned has focused on high-density, energy-efficient data infrastructure using proprietary air, liquid, and hybrid cooling systems.
The company will remain headquartered in Dallas, with Schaap and his management team continuing to lead operations.
The consortium said the acquisition combines AIP’s ability to mobilise capital at scale, MGX’s global AI-focused investment strategy, and GIP’s experience managing complex infrastructure assets. The investment will provide Aligned with capital and strategic support to expand capacity and develop sustainable, scalable digital infrastructure.
“This partnership is bringing together leading companies and mobilising private capital to accelerate AI innovation and drive global economic growth,” said Larry Fink, chairman and CEO of BlackRock and chairman of AIP. “With this investment in Aligned Data Centers, we further our goal of delivering the infrastructure necessary to power the future of AI.”
AI bringing in new era, says MGX CEO
Ahmed Yahia Al Idrissi, CEO of MGX and vice chairman of AIP, said AI is ushering in a new economic era. “Computer infrastructure at scale will be foundational to that progress,” he said. “Our investment in Aligned Data Centers will direct scalable capital to an operator built for efficiency and growth.”
Bayo Ogunlesi, chairman and CEO of GIP, said the deal will help build “the infrastructure to support innovation at scale,” while Schaap said the consortium’s backing will help Aligned “scale faster, innovate further, and redefine what’s possible in sustainable data center infrastructure.”
The transaction is AIP’s first investment and a cornerstone of its plan to deploy up to $30bn in equity capital, with the potential to reach $100bn including debt.
It is expected to close in H1 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
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