Aolani, a Singapore-founded AI cloud company, has signed a strategic compute collaboration with NVIDIA, marking a significant milestone for Southeast Asia's position in the global AI ecosystem. The agreement, announced on September 21, 2026, will expand Aolani's AI factory infrastructure across the region, bringing its total capacity to more than 100 megawatts (MW) and deploying over 48,000 GPUs. This collaboration is the first of its scale for a Southeast Asian-founded company, underscoring the region's growing importance as a hub for AI innovation.
Under the partnership, Aolani will deploy NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs across two new AI factories in Malaysia and the Philippines, with 22,000 GPUs expected to be operational by early 2027. As an NVIDIA Cloud Partner since 2023, Aolani will deliver NVIDIA-powered cloud services to AI-native companies, enterprises, startups, developers, and institutions throughout Southeast Asia. The collaboration also introduces a revenue-sharing and credit-support model that aligns infrastructure deployment with customer demand, providing a capital-efficient path for Aolani to scale its AI factories while broadening access to large-scale accelerated computing.
The implications of this announcement are profound for Southeast Asia's AI landscape. According to McKinsey & Company, AI adoption rates among Southeast Asian companies demonstrate stronger momentum than the global average, positioning the region as one of the most robust AI markets worldwide. With more than US$50 billion invested by global hyperscalers in AI-ready data centers and cloud infrastructure, as noted by the Singapore Economic Development Board, the region is rapidly emerging as a global arena for cloud and AI innovation. Aolani's expansion directly addresses the growing demand for AI compute, ensuring that local enterprises, sovereigns, and SMEs can access the advanced infrastructure needed to build and scale AI workloads.
Malaysia has already established itself as a premier AI factory hub in Asia, while the Philippines represents a high-potential emerging market. Aolani's deployment in the Philippines is expected to be among the first large-scale AI infrastructure platforms in the country, significantly broadening access to advanced AI compute and supporting the buildout of essential AI infrastructure across Asia. This move not only democratizes AI compute but also strengthens the region's ability to compete globally.
Nicholas Chia, Chief Executive Officer at Aolani, stated, "This collaboration with NVIDIA marks a defining moment in Aolani's mission to deliver world-class AI compute at the speed that matches the pace of AI development, and on infrastructure that is compliant, accountable, and trusted to perform. Southeast Asia is rapidly emerging as a key global node for the next wave of global AI buildout, and we are well-positioned to lead this. We are excited to work with new partners and customers to build the Southeast Asian AI ecosystem and cement the region's central role in the global AI landscape."
The partnership between Aolani and NVIDIA is set to accelerate AI innovation across Southeast Asia, providing the necessary compute power for next-generation AI applications. By leveraging NVIDIA's cutting-edge technology and Aolani's regional expertise, the collaboration will help bridge the gap between AI development and deployment, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that supports both global AI natives and local businesses. As the region continues to attract investment and talent, this strategic move reinforces Southeast Asia's trajectory as a leading global powerhouse for AI innovation.
