Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Alibaba Expands European and Middle Eastern Data Centers for AI
Alibaba is a large Chinese technology company that provides online shopping and cloud-computing services.
It plans to build or expand data centers in several countries.
New cloud regions are planned in Turkey, Finland and the Netherlands within the next year.
More facilities are planned in places including Malaysia, Germany, France and the United Arab Emirates.
Data centers help companies use online services and artificial intelligence closer to where they operate.
Alibaba wants a global network that can reach 20 gigawatts by 2032.
It is also developing new AI chips and very large AI models.
This expansion puts Alibaba in stronger competition with American companies while countries face choices between Chinese and U.S. technology.
Alibaba will establish its first cloud regions in Turkey, Finland and the Netherlands within the next 12 months.
The company plans further data-center expansion in Malaysia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, France and Hong Kong.
The expansion is part of Alibaba’s planned 20-gigawatt global data-center network targeted for 2032.
Alibaba also unveiled new AI chips and said it is training foundation models with 5 trillion to 10 trillion parameters.
The strategy increases Alibaba’s competition with Amazon and Alphabet while U.S. officials encourage countries to favor American technology.
- Who
- Alibaba Group Holding Limited, led on this announcement by Alibaba Cloud Intelligence executive Li Feifei.
- What
- Alibaba plans new and expanded data centers and cloud regions across Europe, the Middle East and other markets as part of a global AI infrastructure buildout.
- When
- The first new cloud regions are planned within the next 12 months; the broader 20-gigawatt network is targeted for 2032.
- Where
- New cloud regions are planned in Turkey, Finland and the Netherlands, with expansions also planned in Malaysia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, France and Hong Kong.
- Why
- Alibaba aims to provide more localized cloud and AI services, expand internationally and support its broader competition in artificial intelligence.
Alibaba’s Global Expansion
U.S. Technology Preference
International cloud and AI services
Alibaba’s Global Expansion
Alibaba says expanding local data centers will make cloud and AI services more scalable, practical and accessible for businesses worldwide.
U.S. Technology Preference
Trump officials want other countries to prioritize U.S. technology offerings and avoid alternatives from China.
Technology competition
Alibaba’s Global Expansion
Alibaba is presenting its chips, models and infrastructure as part of China’s effort to develop and share advanced AI capabilities globally.
U.S. Technology Preference
The expansion occurs amid escalating U.S.-China competition over AI chips, models and technology influence.
- Global infrastructure target
- A 20-gigawatt global data-center network by 2032.
- New cloud regions
- Turkey, Finland and the Netherlands within the next 12 months.
- Additional expansion markets
- Malaysia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, France and Hong Kong.
- AI investment plan
- Alibaba outlined a $53 billion, three-year AI investment plan in 2025.
- Foundation models
- The company said it is training models with 5 trillion to 10 trillion parameters.
- Projected cloud revenue
- Citigroup estimates the infrastructure plan could generate more than $160 billion in external cloud revenue.
- Recent facilities
- Alibaba recently opened new facilities in Brazil and France.