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Aboitiz InfraCapital diversifies into data centers with global partner EdgeConneX

Aboitiz InfraCapital and EdgeConneX
EdgeConneX and Aboitiz InfraCapital are teaming up to develop a data center platform in the Philippines. In photo are EdgeConneX Managing Director for Asia Pacific Kelvin Fong and Aboitiz InfraCapital President and CEO Cosette Canilao at the signing ceremony.

PH Digital Infrastructure gets boost with new partnership

Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC), the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, has entered into a partnership with EdgeConneX (ECX), the pioneer in global hyperlocal to hyperscale data center solutions based in the United States. The joint venture aims to address the rising data usage in the Philippines by developing a data center platform that will house cloud service providers’ information technology (IT) equipment, enabling them to better support the Philippine market. The initial data center will be located in proximity to the National Capital Region and a secondary hyperscale campus is planned to be located in the Greater Manila Area.

The partnership – which will pave the way for the development of hyperscale data centers across the Philippines – will leverage on ECX’ global data center platform, build and operational capabilities, and superior “hyperscale” customer relationships. This is complemented by AIC’s local expertise, assets, and infrastructure portfolio, including its 1,400 hectares of prime industrial real estate and its affiliate AboitizPower’s diversified renewable energy capacity, which the company aims to triple by 2030.

Hyperscale data centers are massive business-critical facilities designed to efficiently support robust, scalable applications of cloud service providers. AIC and ECX aim to provide world-class cooling and power infrastructure solutions to “hyperscalers” and other key customers.

ECX team
The ECX team led by ECX Managing Director for Asia Kelvin Fong with AIC President and CEO Cosette Canilao

“Businesses are increasingly turning to cloud service providers — or “hyperscalers” — for cost efficiency, flexibility, and scalability; and thus the need for data centers has never been more demanding. This trend will continue with certainty and speed, and our efforts to seize the opportunities it offers have been proven successful with this latest landmark infrastructure deal for the Aboitiz Group,” said Sabin Aboitiz, President and CEO of the Aboitiz Group.

AIC President and CEO Cosette Canilao explained that the partnership aims to help boost the country’s digital infrastructure ecosystem and serve the local market demand, highlighting the Philippines’ attractiveness for data centers. This focus on enabling digital capabilities also aligns well with the Aboitiz Group’s thrust to move forward through a Great Transformation to become the Philippines’ first Techglomerate that provides life-essential services of the future.

“There is great excitement about the partnership and the incredible market opportunity the partnership enables,” said Ms. Canilao.

Aboitiz team
The Aboitiz team led by AIC President and CEO Cosette Canilao with ECX Managing Director for Asia Kelvin Fong

The Philippines is an underserved market, and is witnessing high data demand growth relative to Southeast Asia. The market size, favorable demographics, and proliferation of subsea cables make the Philippines an ideal destination for data center investments. We also have access to prime real estate in major city centers such as Manila, as well as emerging economic hubs like Batangas. We’re thrilled to have a premier global data center partner in EdgeConneX,” she continued.

“The Philippines is among the leaders in the use of digital media and digital service exports. Filipinos spend more than 9 hours on the internet every day, and the country’s information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) sector dominates the global market. With the prevalence of e-commerce and remote working, data usage is set to grow exponentially. Data centers enable cloud service providers and tech companies to serve these types of user needs.

EdgeConneX provides a full range of sustainable data center solutions worldwide. The company works closely with customers, offering tailor-fit options in terms of location, scale, and type of facility.

Representatives from PJS Law
Representatives from PJS Law, BofA Securities, and SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan with ECX Managing Director for APAC Kelvin Fong and AIC President and CEO Cosette Canilao

“In AIC, we have the ideal partner in the Philippines. They possess all of the local assets and expertise required to build out critical digital infrastructure that can best support our customers across the entire country. We look forward to investing in the digital economy of the Philippines and meeting our customers’ needs throughout the region. They complement our capabilities required to successfully capture this market opportunity,” shared Randy Brouckman, CEO of EdgeConneX.

“Since being acquired by EQT Infrastructure in 2020, EdgeConneX has accelerated its presence in Asia after having identified the growing demand for hyperscale datacenters solutions to serve the surge in data usage. The Philippines marks the fourth country in Asia that EdgeConneX has entered, after successful entries into India, China, and Indonesia over the past two years,” said Kelvin Fong, Managing Director for EdgeConneX in Asia.

Last year, AIC entered the digital infrastructure space through a joint venture tower company called Unity Digital Infrastructure, Inc.

BofA Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor to, and SyCip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan, Shearman & Sterling and TSMP as legal counsel for, AIC in this transaction.


About Aboitiz InfraCapital

Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, aims to build purpose-driven infrastructure that spurs economic growth and improves lives. It develops Economic Estates as well as Water, Digital Infrastructure, and Transport & Mobility projects that enable businesses and uplift communities.

Its current business units include the LIMA Estate and LIMA Water Corporation in Batangas, Mactan Economic Zone 2 Estate and West Cebu Estate in Cebu, Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. in Davao, and Unity Digital Infrastructure. The company also has a minority stake in Balibago Waterworks System, Inc., a privately-owned waterworks utility system. For more information, visit https://aboitizinfracapital.com/.

About EdgeConneX

Backed by EQT Infrastructure, part of the global investment organization, EQT, EdgeConneX provides a full range of sustainable data center solutions worldwide. We work closely with our customers to offer choices in location, scale, and type of facility, from Hyperlocal to Hyperscale. EdgeConneX is a global leader in anytime, anywhere, and any scale data center services for a diverse portfolio of industries, including Content, Cloud, Networks, Gaming, Automotive, SaaS, IoT, HPC, Security, and more. With a mission predicated on taking care of our customers, our people, and our planet, EdgeConneX strives to Empower Your Edge. For more information, please visit https://www.edgeconnex.com/.

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