Who is Hussain Sajwani? Dubai billionaire behind Trump's $20 billion US data center plan

President-elect Donald Trump has announced a $20 billion investment in US data centers from Dubai-based billionaire Hussain Sajwani, further strengthening his ties with the prominent Middle Eastern businessman.
At a press conference at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, Sajwani, the chairman of DAMAC Properties, revealed his commitment to building data centers across key states, including Arizona, Texas, and Michigan. "This investment will support massive new data centers and keep America on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and technology," Trump said.

Sajwani, 71, who is worth an estimated $5.1 billion, hinted that his contribution could exceed $20 billion if market conditions permit. The billionaire described Trump’s election as “amazing news for me and my family.”

Key facts
The project's scope: The initial phase of Sajwani’s investment targets the Midwest and Sun Belt regions, with facilities essential for storing and processing data needed to power advanced technologies like AI.
Trump-Sajwani partnership: Trump introduced Sajwani as “one of the most respected business leaders in the Middle East, indeed the world.” The two share a longstanding relationship, with Sajwani’s DAMAC Properties having developed the Trump-branded golf course in Dubai.
Global data center expansion: Sajwani’s DAMAC has been heavily investing in data centers worldwide, recently committing $3 billion to projects in Southeast Asia and over $400 million in Spain.
Background
Hussain Sajwani founded DAMAC Properties in 2002, establishing it as a leader in luxury real estate in Dubai and beyond. His connection to Trump became widely known in 2016 when he attended a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago. DAMAC’s collaboration with the Trump Organization on the Dubai golf course drew criticism for Trump’s international business dealings during his presidency.
Crucial quote
“For people who play golf, they understand that Trump delivers the highest quality of golf courses,” Sajwani told Forbes in 2017, reflecting their shared ventures.
With this $20 billion pledge, Sajwani joins a wave of major investors like Microsoft, which announced an $80 billion investment in AI infrastructure, underscoring the importance of data centers in the race for technological dominance.