Google has announced a €5 billion investment in Belgium over the next two years to strengthen its cloud and AI infrastructure. The new funding will expand Google’s data center campuses in Saint-Ghislain, one of its key European technology hubs, and create 300 new full-time jobs, underscoring the company’s long-term commitment to the region.
Image caption: Bikash Koley, Vice President, Google Global Infrastructure; HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium; Pierre-Yves Jeholet, in his capacity as Vice-President of the Government of Wallonia.
As part of its sustainability strategy, Google has entered into renewable energy agreements with Eneco, Luminus, and Renner. These partnerships will facilitate the development of new onshore wind farms and help power Google’s growing infrastructure with clean, reliable energy, supporting Belgium’s transition to a greener grid.
Beyond infrastructure, Google is investing in people. The company announced a nationwide initiative to provide free AI skills training to Belgians, especially low-skilled workers, through non-profit partnerships. This program aims to equip citizens with the digital and AI capabilities needed to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven economy.
Google is expanding its AI infrastructure across multiple countries as part of a global strategy to strengthen cloud capacity, accelerate artificial intelligence adoption, and promote sustainability.
In Malaysia, the company is investing $2 billion to build its first data center and cloud region, supporting the country’s Cloud First Policy and aiming to generate over 26,000 jobs by 2030.
In Finland, Google announced a €1 billion expansion of its data center campus to meet AI growth demands in Europe, leveraging the nation’s clean energy resources and cool climate for efficient operations.
In the United States, Google is investing $25 billion over two years to develop data centers and AI infrastructure in states covered by the PJM electric grid, with additional major expansions in Virginia and Indiana worth $3 billion.
The company is also funding a $75 million AI skills initiative to train one million Americans for AI-related jobs. In Oklahoma, Google has pledged $9 billion for new and expanded data center campuses, as well as AI education programs in universities.
Google’s AI investments also extend to Africa, where it is establishing an AI community hub in Ghana, funding local language AI tools, and supporting digital skills and research initiatives across Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. These efforts are designed to foster inclusive AI development tailored to local needs in health, agriculture, and education.
This investment reinforces Google’s role as a key player in Europe’s digital transformation, contributing to economic growth, innovation, and sustainability. By deepening its presence in Belgium, Google aims to ensure the country remains at the forefront of cloud computing, AI development, and green energy adoption.
Rajani Baburajan
