Private capital investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure outside of the US boomed in the first half of 2026, according to data from the Global Private Capital Association (GPCA).

The GPCA represents private capital investors managing around $2tn (£1.5tn) in assets across the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe.

AI investment in GPCA markets reached $14.8bn in the first half of 2026, compared with $2.3bn in the whole of 2025, while investment in digital infrastructure reached $9.6bn in the first half of the year, compared with $8.7bn in 2025.

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The GPCA stated that the majority of funding for pure-play AI businesses is gravitating towards China and, to a lesser extent, India.

However, investment in data centres and other digital infrastructure in the first half of the year was led by Singapore-based data centre operator DayOne Data Centers, which closed its Series C equity financing round at $4.5bn in June 2026. The round was led by major shareholders Coatue and Hillhouse Investment, alongside the Indonesia Investment Authority.

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Other regions have attracted capital to meet pent-up demand for basic digital services, according to GPCA.

African fibre network Liquid Intelligent Technologies raised a $660m debt financing round, including a $150m loan anchored by Ninety One-managed private credit funds.

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