World Bank: AI investments boost FDI inflows to Armenia
07.10.2026,
16:13
Investments in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure have helped boost foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Armenia and Georgia. This is according to the World Bank’s October report, "Europe & Central Asia Economic Update."
YEREVAN, October 7. /ARKA/. Investments in artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure have helped boost foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Armenia and Georgia. This is according to the World Bank’s October report, "Europe & Central Asia Economic Update."
"Energy, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and industrial projects continued to attract capital across the region, despite broader headwinds facing investment," the report states.
World Bank analysts cite the Firebird AI project in Armenia as an example.
"In August, the first phase of the $4 billion Firebird AI data center project—implemented jointly with NVIDIA and the Armenian government and the region's largest AI facility—was launched," the report notes.
At the same time, the World Bank highlights a gap between the development of Armenia’s AI sector and the adoption of its solutions within the domestic market. While the country’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector is growing dynamically—with companies exporting AI solutions—these firms rarely, if ever, sell their products to local clients.
Armenian companies in sectors with potential for AI application—particularly logistics and financial intermediation—are adopting such solutions very slowly. According to World Bank estimates, the use of artificial intelligence in these sectors is currently largely limited to the individual use of GPT models.
About the AI Data Center Project
In June 2025, the Government of Armenia, NVIDIA, Firebird, and Team Group announced the launch of a project to establish a supercomputing and data center based on artificial intelligence solutions.
Firebird owns the data center, which features an infrastructure capacity exceeding 100 MW; Dell is a project partner, and NVIDIA is supplying high-performance Blackwell GPUs.
It was previously reported that the initial investment in the Firebird AI center amounts to $500 million. Upon completion of the second phase, total investment could reach approximately $5 billion, with the number of additional NVIDIA Blackwell-generation GPUs brought into operation totaling around 42,000.
The new AI center will facilitate advancements in artificial intelligence technologies, biosciences, robotics, and space exploration. The project is being implemented with the support of the Armenian and US governments.
"Energy, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and industrial projects continued to attract capital across the region, despite broader headwinds facing investment," the report states.
World Bank analysts cite the Firebird AI project in Armenia as an example.
"In August, the first phase of the $4 billion Firebird AI data center project—implemented jointly with NVIDIA and the Armenian government and the region's largest AI facility—was launched," the report notes.
At the same time, the World Bank highlights a gap between the development of Armenia’s AI sector and the adoption of its solutions within the domestic market. While the country’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector is growing dynamically—with companies exporting AI solutions—these firms rarely, if ever, sell their products to local clients.
Armenian companies in sectors with potential for AI application—particularly logistics and financial intermediation—are adopting such solutions very slowly. According to World Bank estimates, the use of artificial intelligence in these sectors is currently largely limited to the individual use of GPT models.
About the AI Data Center Project
In June 2025, the Government of Armenia, NVIDIA, Firebird, and Team Group announced the launch of a project to establish a supercomputing and data center based on artificial intelligence solutions.
Firebird owns the data center, which features an infrastructure capacity exceeding 100 MW; Dell is a project partner, and NVIDIA is supplying high-performance Blackwell GPUs.
It was previously reported that the initial investment in the Firebird AI center amounts to $500 million. Upon completion of the second phase, total investment could reach approximately $5 billion, with the number of additional NVIDIA Blackwell-generation GPUs brought into operation totaling around 42,000.
The new AI center will facilitate advancements in artificial intelligence technologies, biosciences, robotics, and space exploration. The project is being implemented with the support of the Armenian and US governments.