Amazon announced plans to invest more than €16 billion ($18 billion) in Germany in 2027, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, high-speed satellite internet, logistics, and Prime Video content. The announcement was made during a government-hosted investment summit in Berlin aimed at attracting new business investments and revitalizing the country’s economy.
The planned expenditure includes nearly €5 billion to expand the company’s cloud computing division, Amazon Web Services (AWS), particularly in the Frankfurt area, to meet increasing demand for AI services. A portion of the investment will also support Amazon Leo, a satellite network initiative designed to provide high-speed internet through low Earth orbit satellites. Additionally, Amazon intends to upgrade its logistics operations by incorporating more robotics in warehouses and produce new film and television content for Amazon Prime Video in Germany.
David Zapolsky, Amazon’s chief global affairs and legal officer, described Germany as a hub of innovation and one of Europe’s most attractive markets for investment. He noted that the company had already invested over €100 billion in Germany since 2010. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said the investments would bolster Germany’s competitive position in global technology markets while generating employment and economic value.
The investment summit attracted over 200 corporate leaders from Germany and other countries. The German government is seeking to address challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles, high energy costs, and a shortage of skilled labor while encouraging companies to expand operations domestically. Chancellor Friedrich Merz highlighted the government’s commitment to a broad reform and modernization agenda, including tax relief, reducing bureaucracy, and strengthening financial markets, aimed at fostering a more investment-friendly environment.
Merz also underscored Germany’s ambitions to become a leader in AI development worldwide. During the summit, he engaged in a discussion with Jensen Huang, CEO of AI chip manufacturer Nvidia, which announced a partnership with the German government to accelerate AI adoption in industrial applications.
Amazon’s investment is part of a broader trend of major technology companies increasing their AI and data infrastructure spending in Europe following the widespread adoption of AI tools like ChatGPT. For example, Microsoft announced a $30 billion investment in AI infrastructure in the United Kingdom through 2028, and Amazon previously pledged €33.7 billion to expand cloud and data-center capabilities in Spain by 2035.
These commitments reflect efforts by European countries to remain competitive in the rapidly evolving global technology landscape by attracting significant foreign direct investment in emerging high-tech sectors.