Microsoft has announced a historic US$ 10 billion investment to expand Portugal’s artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure by Q1 2026. In collaboration with Nscale, NVIDIA, and Start Campus, Microsoft will deploy 12,600 next-generation NVIDIA GPUs to create one of Europe’s most advanced AI data centers near Lisbon.
In a press release, Microsoft stated that this is the largest-ever investment in Portugal and the biggest data center initiative in the nation’s history. The project is among Europe’s most significant expansions of AI computing capacity thus positioning Portugal as a regional hub for scalable, secure, and sustainable AI innovation.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, said, “This partnership reflects our confidence in Portugal’s potential to lead the next wave of AI innovation by strengthening national AI infrastructure through collaboration with Nscale, NVIDIA, and Start Campus.”
Andrés Ortola, General Manager of Microsoft Portugal said, “This investment is a testament to our belief in Portugal’s ability to lead digital transformation, investing in infrastructure, innovation, and the future of the Portuguese digital economy.”
Microsoft’s broader initiatives include the Global AI project, which has already reached over one million Portuguese citizens to promote AI literacy and public sector innovation in collaboration with the National Institute of Administration and six universities.
Portugal’s startup ecosystem includes over 4,700 start-ups and seven unicorns each of which benefit from programs like the AI Innovation Factory, co-developed with Accenture, Avanade, and Unicorn Factory Lisboa, to help entrepreneurs scale AI solutions responsibly.