April 13, 2025
The state of Querétaro, known for its thriving manufacturing industry, has become a hub for Mexico’s digital economy, with data centers from tech giants like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft expanding their presence there.
In an interview with T21, Carlos Salgado, Undersecretary of Information Technology for the Querétaro government, confirmed that as part of this transformation, the state now has 12 other companies operating multiple data centers, positioning the entity as one of the major centers outside the United States and Canada, comparable only to cities like Santiago in Chile and São Paulo in Brazil.
He emphasized, “This is creating a very interesting industry around data centers, and our universities are working to develop graduates in this industry.”
The emergence of numerous digital services, the use of virtual tools, and data processing and storage, driven by the relocation of production lines, has increased demand for data centers in Mexico. The Mexican Data Center Association (MEXDC) plans to build 73 such facilities by 2029.
The government official emphasized that educational institutions are adapting their programs to train professionals in key areas such as programming, data analytics, big data, and cybersecurity, to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving market. To accelerate this training, a program has been launched in collaboration with the European Union.
Salgado explained, “We are launching a new program through the European Union to accelerate this training, as universities sometimes take a long time to adapt their programs.”
This effort seeks to generate specific technical skills that support not only the technology industry but also sectors such as aerospace and automotive.
The geographic location of Querétaro has been part of the state’s success in attracting technology sector investments in recent years. It is centrally located and has connections to Mexico City, Guadalajara, León, and Aguascalientes, benefiting from its position as a strategic logistics hub.
This advantage facilitates both connectivity for data centers and the development of other industries. In addition to technology, Querétaro excels in industries such as the automotive industry, with numerous auto parts suppliers, and the aerospace industry, with companies such as Bombardier, Safran, and Embraer.
Salgado emphasized that one of the unique elements here is that “I believe we are the only state with an aviation university within an airport,” noting that they are seeking certification as the first air terminal “with a spaceport license from which suborbital flights can launch.”
In general, the state government is investing heavily in an ecosystem of innovation and technological development, making Querétaro an attractive destination for foreign investment, attracting capital from countries such as Germany, Korea, Spain, Canada, and the United States.
To diversify its economy and reduce its reliance on industries that impose tariffs, Querétaro is working to encourage entrepreneurship and startups in the service and technology sectors.
According to the Mexican Ministry of Economy, Amazon will invest $5 billion in Querétaro to develop a digital data center zone.
This represents a $10 billion contribution to Mexico’s GDP over the next 15 years, starting in 2025, and will create more than 7,000 jobs annually.
Nationally, according to a report by consulting firm Mordor Intelligence, Mexico’s data center market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10.5% between 2021 and 2026, reaching a value of $1.5 billion.
