• Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris eyes up to $50 billion in U.S. infrastructure over the next decade.

• Orascom Construction and its U.S. unit Weitz will anchor the strategy, with a focus on data centers and airports.

• OCI sold $11 billion in assets in two years and is merging with Orascom Construction ahead of the expansion.

Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris said he plans to invest as much as $50 billion in U.S. infrastructure over the next decade, according to an interview with the Financial Times reported by Reuters on September 22.

Sawiris said the company will direct its next phase of growth toward infrastructure, which he described as offering the strongest opportunities.

He aims to benefit from renewed capital flows into data centers and other infrastructure segments.

Sawiris intends to rely on Orascom Construction, the family business founded in the 1950s, which has become a major player in global construction. Orascom operates in the U.S. through Weitz, acquired in 2012.

He highlighted Weitz’s track record in building data centers, airport terminals, and student housing, describing it as an edge over financial investors that have crowded into infrastructure markets worldwide.

The announcement follows a significant reshaping of Sawiris’s holdings. His company OCI sold more than $11 billion in assets over the past two years and is merging with Orascom Construction.

For now, the $50 billion figure remains indicative, with no specific projects disclosed. Analysts said Orascom’s ability to secure contracts in the U.S. will be crucial, given the strong presence of large international funds.

The U.S. data center market was valued at $103.27 billion in 2023 and could reach $158.55 billion by 2030, according to Next Move Strategy Consulting. The sector is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.3%, driven by cloud adoption, edge computing, and rising connectivity demand.

Sawiris ranks among Africa’s wealthiest individuals. Forbes said in 2025 that the continent counts 22 billionaires with combined assets of $105 billion, a record despite currency depreciation and inflation pressures.

With a net worth estimated at $9 billion, Sawiris is Egypt’s richest individual and ranks fourth in Africa, behind Aliko Dangote, Johann Rupert, and Nicky Oppenheimer.

This article was initially published in French by Louis-Nino Kansoun

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum