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DAMAC Digital and Vodafone Türkiye launch first phase of $100M Izmir data center

By: IDCNOVARegion: Europe
DAMAC Digital, a global digital infrastructure provider, and Vodafone Türkiye have officially inaugurated the first phase of a new data center in Izmir, a facility being positioned as the largest in Türkiye's Aegean Region. The milestone marks a significant step in both companies' long-term strategy to expand digital capacity in the country and the broader Mediterranean area.

The initial phase of the facility, built with an investment of approximately US$100 million, will deliver 4 MW of critical IT capacity, with a clear roadmap to scale up to 20 MW as demand grows. The data center spans 7,500 square meters and is designed to accommodate more than 650 cabinets, featuring a scalable architecture tailored to support advanced artificial intelligence workloads, including graphics processing unit (GPU) technologies for both traditional AI and generative AI applications.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Türkiye's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, along with Vodafone Türkiye CEO Engin Aksoy and senior executives from DAMAC Digital. As part of the broader partnership between the two firms, total investment in the project is expected to reach approximately US$300 million over time.

“As artificial intelligence, cloud computing and data-driven technologies reshape economies, advanced digital infrastructure will be fundamental to national competitiveness, innovation and sustainable growth,” said Hussain Sajwani, Founder of DAMAC Group and Chairman of DAMAC Digital, underscoring the strategic importance of the project in an era of rapid digital transformation.

Engin Aksoy, CEO of Vodafone Türkiye, highlighted the speed and significance of the delivery. “This project builds on Vodafone Türkiye's long-term investment in the country's digital future. Delivered in just one and half years, Izmir Data Center stands as a powerful demonstration of this commitment. This facility will not only scale Vodafone's infrastructure but also reinforce Türkiye's cloud capabilities and data sovereignty, fuelling the critical data processing and AI needs of businesses.”

The location of the Izmir Data Center is a key component of its strategic value. Its proximity to submarine cable landing stations connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia positions Izmir as an emerging data center and connectivity hub for Türkiye and the wider Mediterranean region. Industry observers note that the project reflects a broader trend of increased investment in regional digital infrastructure, driven by the rising demand for cloud services, data sovereignty, and AI-ready computing capacity.