Investing in digital infrastructure across emerging markets — powering the next generation of cloud, AI, and enterprise computing
Taranis Capital's Datacentre Fund focuses on funding planning, construction, and operation of reliable data centres in emerging economies.
The fund focuses on funding planning, construction, and operation of reliable data centres in emerging economies. Digital infrastructure is critical to driving economic development. The Fund targets projects enabling rapid deployment of data centre capacity—from hyperscale facilities to edge computing infrastructure.
Combines patient capital with deep expertise in infrastructure development to build essential computing infrastructure that powers cloud services, AI workloads, and enterprise applications across emerging markets.
Large-scale data centres serving multinational cloud providers and regional hyperscalers
Distributed capacity deployed closer to end users for real-time applications
Advanced cooling systems and renewable energy integration
Co-location facilities, cloud edge nodes, and connectivity platforms
We are uniquely positioned to identify, support, and scale data centre investments across emerging markets.
30+ years of direct data centre sector experience. Our team combines infrastructure development expertise with deep understanding of technology infrastructure, cooling systems, and data centre operations across emerging markets.
Based in the DIFC, we have deep roots across the Gulf Cooperation Council. This provides us with unique access to government relationships, investor networks, and market intelligence critical to data centre development in the region.
We maintain strong relationships with government bodies, telecommunications operators, cloud providers, and infrastructure developers across emerging markets—essential for sourcing, executing, and scaling data centre projects.
Demonstrated history of executing infrastructure projects from planning through construction to operation. We understand the complexities of infrastructure development and bring proven execution capability to portfolio companies.
Strategic involvement in 2Africa submarine cable and other critical regional connectivity infrastructure. This positions us uniquely to connect data centre developments with broader digital infrastructure ecosystem.
We provide patient capital, deep expertise, and operational support across the full data centre lifecycle—from site selection and regulatory approval through construction to operations and scaling.
Digital infrastructure is experiencing unprecedented demand, with emerging markets representing the largest untapped opportunity.
The global data centre market exceeds $2 trillion in 2024, with annual growth rates of 10-12%, driven by cloud adoption, AI, and digital transformation.
More than 500 significant data centre developments were announced globally in 2023, reflecting unprecedented investor appetite for digital infrastructure capacity.
Private equity investment in data centre infrastructure grew from $30 billion in 2020 to over $70 billion in 2023, demonstrating accelerating institutional capital deployment.
Cloud computing, AI workloads, and fintech infrastructure are driving exponential capacity demand. Emerging markets lack adequate capacity to serve these sectors—creating significant investment opportunity.
MENA and Africa are experiencing accelerating demand for hyperscale capacity. Regional data residency requirements, growing digital economies, and tech-sector investment are fueling infrastructure development.
Gulf governments are actively investing in domestic digital infrastructure. Vision 2030 initiatives and regulatory frameworks are creating incentive structures favourable to data centre development and operation.
We focus on four core infrastructure categories transforming digital capability in emerging markets.
Large-scale facility construction, 5-50+ MW of power capacity. Serving multinational cloud providers, regional hyperscalers, and enterprise customers requiring significant compute and storage infrastructure.
Distributed capacity deployed closer to end users for real-time applications, 5G/6G connectivity, and latency-sensitive workloads. Critical for emerging market IoT, autonomous systems, and mobile computing.
Advanced cooling technologies, renewable energy integration, and power efficiency solutions. Supporting sustainable data centre operations while reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
Co-location facilities, cloud edge nodes, and connectivity platforms connecting data centres to cloud networks, submarine cables, and regional backbone infrastructure.
Led by founders with deep infrastructure development and data centre sector expertise.
Founding Partner & CEO
25+ years spanning investment banking and asset management. Pioneered world-first projects in emerging market infrastructure development. Leads Taranis Capital's overall strategy and portfolio across multiple infrastructure sectors.
Senior Partner
Driving force behind the Datacentre Fund. 30+ years of direct data centre sector experience including facility planning, construction, operations, and hyperscale deployment across MENA and emerging markets.
Founding Partner & COO
Founding Partner & COO and Investment Committee member. Over two decades of operational and entrepreneurial experience across enterprise technology, fintech media, and government trade advisory. Responsible for day-to-day fund operations and regulatory coordination with J.
Chief Technical Officer / Fund Governance Board
Seasoned Saudi entrepreneur and technology executive. Nearly two decades of banking sector experience at Samba Financial Group, Banque Saudi Fransi, and National Commercial Bank. Pioneer of internet banking and e-wallets in KSA.
Legal Counsel
Partner at Matouk Bassiouny, Head of Corporate and M&A. Extensive experience in finance, technology, and venture capital transactions. Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales with over 100 transactions across MENA.
Board Advisor
Former Vice Minister of Industry (2019-2023). Extensive experience in industrial policy, infrastructure development, and public-private partnerships. Provides critical government and regulatory perspective on data centre development across GCC.
Board of Advisers
30+ years in petrochemicals, manufacturing, and supply chain infrastructure. Deep expertise in large-scale capital projects, operational excellence, and regional market development across MENA and Africa.
Advisory Board
Award-winning technology executive with 28 years of global leadership at Citibank, Emirates NBD, DBS Bank, and American Express. Over 450 fintech products launched. Expertise in digital banking infrastructure and technology transformation.
Advisory Board
SVP Global Operations and COO at a leading US investment bank. 21 years driving Fortune 100 growth. Expert in AI, business intelligence, and global transformation across three continents.
Advisory Board
35-year banking and fintech executive. Former CEO of a major Abu Dhabi bank and a European neobank. Expert in institutional turnarounds and foreign direct investment across the Middle East and Europe.
Advisory Board
Serial entrepreneur and strategic communications advisor with over 22 years in the UAE. Founder of Prose Solutions and PS NXT (AI ventures). Dozens of angel investments across technology and knowledge services.
Advisory Board / Legal Advisor
New York and Washington DC licensed corporate lawyer and former banker with over 20 years of experience. Provides specialist KSA legal counsel to the Fund across international law firms and financial institutions.
Fund Governance Board
Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management at Emirates NBD Saudi Arabia. Leading figure in Saudi banking with deep expertise in customer-centric innovation and strategic growth aligned with Vision 2030.
Senior Advisor (Cybersecurity & Operations)
Specialist in cybersecurity architecture, operational resilience, and security of critical digital infrastructure. Advises on sovereign-grade security standards, compliance with international cybersecurity frameworks, and operational security protocols essential for data centre operations.
Advisory Board
Technology, telecoms, and finance executive with over 15 years scaling global operations. Expert in international expansion, raising capital, and go-to-market strategy. Action-focused leader driving business development.
Fund Governance Board
Over 40 years in executive leadership and cybersecurity. Former ABB C-level executive with deep expertise in digital transformation, white-hat security, and AI ventures. Saudi Council of Engineers member.
Advisory Board
Financial industry veteran with over 30 years spanning investment banking, real estate, and telecommunications. Chairman of Razeen Capital and founding member of MEIRA Saudi Arabia. Expert in investor relations, IPOs, and corporate restructuring.
CEO, J. Awan Capital (Fund Manager)
Founder and CEO of J. Awan Capital, the CMA-licensed Fund Manager for the Datacentre Fund. Over 25 years in financial services regulation and compliance across MENA.
Head of Asset Management, J. Awan Capital
CFA Charterholder and CMA-registered professional leading J. Awan Capital's Asset Management division. 15+ years in portfolio management.
Local KSA Counsel (QHM Law Firm)
Saudi lawyer and founding partner of QHM Law Firm. Licensed by the Ministry of Justice with 15+ years of practice. SJD and LLM in International IP Law from Indiana University.
We are committed to building sustainable, responsible digital infrastructure across all portfolio companies.
Prioritise designs minimising power consumption. Advanced cooling systems, efficient power distribution, and optimal hardware utilisation reduce operational costs and environmental impact.
Incorporate renewable energy sources into data centre operations. Solar, wind, and other renewables reduce carbon footprint and provide long-term energy cost stability.
Innovative cooling including free cooling, liquid cooling, and water-efficient systems. Reduces water consumption and environmental impact while improving operational efficiency.
Local employment, skills training, and economic development. Data centre projects create jobs and opportunity in emerging markets while building local technical capability.
Rigorous governance standards and transparent reporting. Portfolio companies maintain high ethical standards, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder accountability.
Reliable infrastructure supports fintech access, technology adoption, and digital inclusion. Data centre capacity enables emerging markets to participate in digital economy and access cloud services.
We welcome discussions with institutional investors, strategic partners, and infrastructure professionals interested in emerging market data centre investment.
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