The information provided on EL7.AI is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
The information provided on EL7.AI is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
Sign in to access this content
Sign InReflecting the accelerating trend of sovereign and institutional investment in digital infrastructure, a consortium led by UAE-based MGX and BlackRock has successfully completed the 100% acquisition of Aligned Data Centers. The transaction, executed through the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership (AIP) which includes BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), involved the full purchase of equity from Macquarie Asset Management. This strategic move is designed to leverage Aligned’s footprint to meet the surging global demand for AI-driven data processing capabilities.
This acquisition occurs amidst intense competition for data center assets among global asset managers; BlackRock recently reported record assets under management exceeding $10.6 trillion in its Q2 2024 earnings (Search Citation). By partnering in this deal, MGX—launched in Abu Dhabi earlier this year—solidifies its position as a major contender in the global infrastructure market alongside peers like Blackstone, which has also committed billions to AI-ready facilities. This trend underscores the transition of data centers into a critical institutional asset class.
In the markets, BlackRock shares (0QZZ.L) stood at $1062.11 at the close of July 20, 2026. Investors are now looking toward long-term integration benefits and upcoming macroeconomic catalysts that could influence infrastructure financing costs. Notably, recent market data showed the US annual inflation rate cooling to 3.5% as of July 2026, a factor that may support the valuation of capital-intensive infrastructure projects by stabilizing the interest rate outlook.