SoftBank weighs a $50 billion AI bet on Malaysia, equal to a tenth of the country’s GDP
Malaysia has recorded $94B of data-center investments between 2021 and mid-2026; Softbank’s investment plan would lift that total by more than half.
Japan's SoftBank Group is reportedly planning to invest $50 billion in Malaysia, primarily focusing on artificial intelligence and data centers. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim disclosed this plan during a speech on October 24, stating that the investment would be equivalent to roughly a tenth of the country's economy. Anwar mentioned discussing this investment opportunity with SoftBank's chairman and CEO, Masayoshi Son, during a video call.
Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia are identified as key regions for the expansion of SoftBank's investment, which would be one of the largest in the region. SoftBank is expected to contribute a portion of the total investment, with financing and other partners covering the remaining amount. This substantial investment plan aims to position Malaysia as a neutral hub for technology and AI companies, aligning with the country's goal to become an "AI nation" by 2030.
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