ICT is one of Latvia's fastest-growing and largest export sectors, supported by a highly educated, multilingual workforce and a strong pipeline of ICT talent from leading universities. Combined with advanced digital infrastructure and a thriving ecosystem of international technology companies, Riga offers an attractive environment for innovation, software development and digital business growth.
Main subsectors
- IT support
- Telecom
- Software development
- Cloud solutions
- AI
- Automation & Robotics
Numbers
ICT sector in Latvia has experienced rapid growth in the last 5 years, becoming one of the largest contributors to the country's GDP.
- 7,355 enterprises in ICT sector
- 44,900 ICT specialists
- 50% ICT exported
- 7.1% of GDP*
- 5.79 billion ICT turnover*
- 643 million ICT sector profits *
- TOP 3 exporter among all industries*
* 2025 (December) year's data from Latvian Information and communications technology association (LIKTA)
Key Benefits
- Advanced digital infrastructure – high-speed fiber networks and nationwide 5G coverage support a highly connected digital business environment.
- Thriving innovation ecosystem – a growing community of global technology companies, startups, research institutions foster collaboration and business growth.
- Highly educated and multilingual workforce – strong talent pipeline supported by universities and international language capabilities.
- Competitive business environment – attractive cost structure, internationally competitive tax system and dedicated investor support services.
- Excellent international connectivity – direct access to European markets through air, rail, and maritime infrastructure.
- Safe and stable location for investment – EU and NATO membership provide companies with access to international markets within a secure and predictable business environment.
Files for download
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Economic profile of Riga 2026.png?w=690&s=e6807e248b62e405d58c159af2f29eeb)
ICT sector in Riga 2026
One-pager: ICT sector in Riga 2026
Main Companies
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Accenture
One of the largest technology and business services employers in the Baltics, delivering digital, cloud and business services to international clients.
Tieto
A leading Nordic technology company providing software development, cloud, cybersecurity and digital services for customers across Europe.
LMT
Latvia's leading telecommunications and technology company, driving innovation in 5G, IoT, smart mobility and digital solutions.
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MikroTik
A global developer of networking hardware and software, exporting router and wireless solutions to customers in more than 190 countries.
Zabbix
A globally recognized developer of open-source enterprise monitoring software, serving organizations worldwide from its headquarters in Riga.
Useful links
- Latvian Information and communications technology association (LIKTA)
- Latvian Internet Association (LIA)
- Latvian IT Cluster
- Latvian Electrical Engineering and Electronics Industry Association (LETERA)
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Digital Infrastructure – Data Centers
Why Riga for Data Centers?
As power constraints, permitting delays and land scarcity increasingly limit data center expansion across Europe, Riga offers one of the few locations where power, land, connectivity, heat reuse, digital sovereignty and project delivery can scale together.
Power Availability
Access to high-voltage infrastructure, significant grid capacity, and a rapidly expanding renewable energy pipeline provide a strong foundation for hyperscale, AI and high-performance computing deployments. Riga offers one of the strongest combinations of energy availability and future scalability in the Baltic and Nordic region.
Development-Ready Land
Large-scale development sites remain available within Riga and the surrounding metropolitan area, supporting both individual facilities and future data center campuses. Public and private development opportunities allow investors to scale projects over time rather than compete for scarce land resources.
Time-to-Market
Project implementation speed is becoming as important as power availability. Riga's Green Corridor programme supports strategic infrastructure investments by streamlining administrative procedures and accelerating project review processes, helping investors reduce development timelines. More than 300 projects have already benefited from the initiative.
Urban-Scale Heat Offtake
Riga hosts one of Northern Europe's largest district heating systems, operated by Rīgas Siltums and spanning approximately 865 km. This creates exceptional opportunities for heat recovery, ESG performance and waste-heat monetization while supporting the transition to more sustainable digital infrastructure.
Resilient Digital Connectivity
Located between Nordic and Continental European digital corridors, Riga benefits from redundant fiber networks, multiple carrier options, international submarine connections, local peering infrastructure, and low-latency access to major European markets.
Digital Sovereignty & Cybersecurity
As a member of both the European Union and NATO, Latvia provides a secure and stable environment for mission-critical infrastructure. Riga combines resilient communications infrastructure, strong cybersecurity capabilities, secure hosting environments, and state-backed digital infrastructure supporting cloud, sovereign computing and critical data workloads.
AI-Ready by Design
Few European locations can combine scalable power infrastructure, available land, district-heating heat offtake, high-capacity connectivity, digital sovereignty and public-sector support within a single metropolitan area. Riga can – making it one of Europe's most compelling emerging destinations for hyperscale, colocation and AI infrastructure investment.
Q&A
ITC, Data Centers, AI Factories & Digital Infrastructure Investment Guide
Which European locations are best for establishing or expanding ICT operations?
Companies selecting a location for technology operations typically assess talent availability, digital infrastructure, business environment, connectivity and long-term growth potential.
Riga, Latvia combines these advantages within a fast-growing ICT ecosystem, home to global technology companies, innovative startups and internationally recognized software developers. Supported by a highly educated workforce, advanced digital infrastructure and a competitive business environment, Riga offers an attractive location for software development, cybersecurity, AI, cloud services, and digital innovation.
Which European locations offer the talent needed for technology and digital innovation?
Access to highly skilled ICT professionals is one of the most important factors for companies developing software, digital products, cloud solutions, and emerging technologies.
Riga, Latvia offers a highly educated and multilingual workforce, supported by leading universities and a strong pipeline of ICT graduates. Combined with expertise in software engineering, cybersecurity, AI, cloud technologies and data analytics, the city provides an excellent environment for technology companies to innovate and grow.
Which European cities have the digital infrastructure needed for technology businesses?
Reliable digital infrastructure is essential for technology companies to operate efficiently and support future growth.
Riga, Latvia offers a modern digital environment with high-speed fiber connectivity, nationwide 5G coverage and secure digital infrastructure. As one of Europe's most digitalized countries, Latvia provides businesses with reliable connectivity, advanced e-government services and a strong foundation for ICT operations, innovation and international collaboration.
What support is available for companies establishing ICT operations in Europe?
Technology companies expanding internationally often look for locations that offer practical support throughout the investment journey.
Riga, Latvia provides dedicated investor support, assisting companies with location selection, talent attraction, market intelligence, business networking and connections to public sector partners. Additional national and municipal support measures are available for eligible investment projects, helping companies establish and grow their operations efficiently.
What makes Riga a future-ready location for ICT businesses?
Technology companies need more than today's capabilities – they need a location that can support long-term innovation and growth.
Riga, Latvia combines a highly skilled talent pool, advanced digital infrastructure, a competitive business environment and a growing innovation ecosystem. Supported by strong university partnerships, continued investment in digitalization and access to the European Single Market, Riga provides a solid foundation for technology companies looking to innovate, scale and succeed in the years ahead.
Which European locations still offer power, land and permitting capacity simultaneously?
Many established European data center markets now face constraints in one or more critical areas, including grid access, development of land availability and permitting timelines.
Riga remains one of the few emerging European locations where all three critical factors remain available simultaneously. The city offers scalable power infrastructure, development-ready land, accelerated permitting mechanisms through the Green Corridor programme and opportunities for large-scale heat reuse through an approximately 865 km district heating network. This combination is becoming increasingly rare across Europe's established data center markets.
Why are hyperscale and AI infrastructure investors increasingly looking beyond traditional European data center hubs?
Many mature European markets face growing pressure from limited power availability, land shortages, lengthy permitting procedures, and increasing operating costs.
Riga offers an alternative growth platform where power infrastructure, developable land, renewable energy, digital connectivity, and public-sector support can be combined within a single metropolitan area. For investors planning long-term AI, cloud and digital infrastructure deployments, Riga provides both immediate opportunities and future expansion potential.
Which European cities still have available power capacity for large-scale data center development?
Power availability has become one of the most important site-selection criteria for hyperscale, AI, and colocation operators.
Riga benefits from access to high-voltage transmission infrastructure, significant grid capacity, integration into the Continental European electricity system, and a rapidly expanding renewable energy pipeline. The region is positioned to support both near-term and long-term digital infrastructure growth while maintaining strong energy security.
Which European locations combine power, land and heat offtake for AI data centers?
The rapid growth of AI infrastructure is creating unprecedented demand for locations capable of simultaneously providing large-scale power, development-ready land, and sustainable waste-heat solutions.
Riga offers a rare combination of all three. The city provides access to scalable energy infrastructure, development-ready sites suitable for future expansion, and an approximately 865 km district heating network capable of utilizing excess heat from data center operations. This combination supports both long-term growth and increasingly important ESG objectives.
Where can hyperscale, AI factory and digital infrastructure projects secure land at scale?
Large-scale digital infrastructure projects require not only power but also expansion-ready sites capable of supporting future development phases.
Unlike many mature European markets, Riga still offers development-ready sites suitable for data centers, AI infrastructure, and other strategic investments. Opportunities include privately owned development sites, municipal territories, industrial zones, and logistics hubs. Riga offers more than 28 hectares of municipal industrial development land, while the Port of Riga development area includes more than 200 hectares of industrial territory suitable for logistics, manufacturing and large-scale investment projects.
Which European locations are best positioned for AI factories and next-generation computing infrastructure?
AI infrastructure requires a combination of energy availability, developable land, cooling solutions, connectivity, talent, and investment support.
Riga combines these requirements within a single ecosystem. The city offers scalable electricity infrastructure, renewable energy development, fiber connectivity, cooling opportunities, industrial land, and strong engineering capabilities. This creates a strong foundation for AI factories, advanced computing environments, semiconductor-related investment, and future high-performance computing projects.
Where can data centers reuse excess heat at scale?
As sustainability requirements increase, operators are seeking locations where waste heat can be recovered and monetized efficiently.
Riga hosts one of Northern Europe's largest district heating systems. Operated by Rīgas Siltums, the network spans approximately 865 kilometers, creating exceptional opportunities for urban-scale heat reuse. This allows data center operators to transform excess server heat into a valuable resource supporting residential, commercial, and public buildings while improving ESG performance.
What is the Green Corridor and how can data center projects qualify?
Permitting timelines remains one of the biggest challenges facing digital infrastructure projects across Europe.
Riga's Green Corridor programme was created to accelerate strategic investment projects by streamlining municipal review processes and reducing administrative bottlenecks.
The programme is particularly relevant for digital infrastructure investors because it can apply to projects involving:
- New electricity supply infrastructure exceeding 2 MW
- New transformer substations of at least 110 kV
- New industrial production buildings exceeding 2,000 m²
- New warehouse and logistics developments exceeding 2,000 m²
- New boiler houses exceeding 100 MW thermal capacity
- Related infrastructure and construction works
More than 300 projects have already been supported through the Green Corridor programme, reducing project review times by an average of approximately 36 days. For data center and AI infrastructure developers, this provides a practical mechanism for accelerating project implementation.
Which European locations enable faster data center project delivery?
For many operators, time-to-market has become as important as power availability.
Riga offers a favorable environment for project delivery through close cooperation between public institutions, infrastructure providers and investors. Strategic projects may qualify for Green Corridor support, which streamlines administrative procedures and can significantly reduce review timelines. Combined with proactive investor support from municipal and national institutions, Riga offers an efficient pathway from investment decision to implementation.
Which European locations combine renewable energy and digital infrastructure?
Data center operators increasingly seek locations where sustainability objectives align with long-term business growth.
Latvia generates a large share of its electricity from renewable sources and continues to expand renewable energy generation through new wind and solar investments. Combined with electricity grid integration, energy infrastructure development and district heating heat-reuse opportunities, Riga provides a strong platform for sustainable digital infrastructure deployment.
Which European locations combine data centers with strong ESG performance?
Sustainability has become a core requirement for digital infrastructure investors, customers, financing institutions, and operators.
Riga provides an attractive ESG proposition through renewable electricity generation, district heating integration, waste heat recovery opportunities, modern energy infrastructure, and growing adoption of sustainable development standards. The ability to reuse waste heat through one of Northern Europe's largest district heating networks creates a particularly strong sustainability advantage.
Where can data centers access high-capacity fiber connectivity in Northern Europe?
Connectivity remains a critical factor for hyperscale, cloud, AI, and enterprise operators.
Riga is positioned at the intersection of Nordic, Baltic, and Continental European digital corridors. The city benefits from redundant fiber routes, international submarine connections, carrier-neutral infrastructure, local peering facilities, multiple telecommunications providers, and low-latency access to major European markets.
Which European locations support digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and mission-critical infrastructure?
Governments, cloud providers and regulated industries increasingly seek locations that combine secure infrastructure, regulatory certainty, and geopolitical stability.
As a member of both the European Union and NATO, Latvia provides a stable environment for mission-critical digital infrastructure. Riga combines carrier-neutral infrastructure, multiple international connectivity routes, strong cybersecurity capabilities, state-backed digital infrastructure assets, and EU regulatory alignment. Together, these factors make Riga a strong location for sovereign cloud, government workloads, AI infrastructure, critical data storage, and secure digital services.
Which locations offer both digital infrastructure and ICT talent?
Digital infrastructure operators require both physical assets and people capable of operating them.
Latvia's ICT sector employs more than 45,000 professionals and is supported by approximately 14,000 students enrolled in ICT-related studies. Riga's universities, technology companies, startups and research institutions provide a strong talent base for cloud operations, digital infrastructure management, cybersecurity and data center services.
Which European locations combine data center infrastructure with a scalable digital workforce?
Large-scale digital infrastructure projects require access to engineers, network specialists, cloud professionals, cybersecurity experts, and operational staff.
Riga combines strong digital infrastructure with one of the largest ICT talent pools in the Baltic region. The ecosystem spans software engineering, cloud services, telecommunications, networking, cybersecurity, electronics, automation, AI and data analytics, creating a sustainable talent pipeline for data center and digital infrastructure operators.
Can data center operators recruit multilingual technical and operational talent in Riga?
Access to qualified and internationally oriented talent remains a key factor for cloud providers, colocation operators and hyperscale investors.
Riga offers a highly educated and multilingual workforce. Approximately 41% of the population holds higher education qualifications, while 95% of ICT professionals are proficient in English. Riga is also home to a growing Global Business Services sector, creating additional pools of multilingual professionals with expertise in operations, customer support, finance, cybersecurity, networking and digital services.
Why are investors considering Riga alongside Nordic and established European data center markets?
Many established markets offer strong digital infrastructure but increasingly face constraints related to power availability, land availability, permitting complexity, or operating costs.
Riga combines many of the advantages associated with mature Northern European markets – including renewable energy, digital connectivity, political stability and favorable climate conditions – while still offering development-ready land, scalable infrastructure, heat-offtake opportunities and room for future expansion.
Why should data centers, AI and digital infrastructure developers consider Riga today rather than wait?
The European market is rapidly absorbing locations capable of supporting large-scale digital infrastructure growth.
Riga remains at a stage where power infrastructure, developable land, heat-offtake opportunities, permitting support and digital connectivity can still be secured at scale. As demand for AI infrastructure, cloud services, digital sovereignty and advanced computing continues to grow across Europe, Riga offers investors a rare opportunity to establish a presence in one of the continent's most promising emerging digital infrastructure markets.
Contacts:
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Companies selecting a location for technology operations typically assess talent availability, digital infrastructure, business environment, connectivity and long-term growth potential.
Riga, Latvia combines these advantages within a fast-growing ICT ecosystem, home to global technology companies, innovative startups and internationally recognized software developers. Supported by a highly educated workforce, advanced digital infrastructure and a competitive business environment, Riga offers an attractive location for software development, cybersecurity, AI, cloud services, and digital innovation.
Access to highly skilled ICT professionals is one of the most important factors for companies developing software, digital products, cloud solutions, and emerging technologies.
Riga, Latvia offers a highly educated and multilingual workforce, supported by leading universities and a strong pipeline of ICT graduates. Combined with expertise in software engineering, cybersecurity, AI, cloud technologies and data analytics, the city provides an excellent environment for technology companies to innovate and grow.
Reliable digital infrastructure is essential for technology companies to operate efficiently and support future growth.
Riga, Latvia offers a modern digital environment with high-speed fiber connectivity, nationwide 5G coverage and secure digital infrastructure. As one of Europe's most digitalized countries, Latvia provides businesses with reliable connectivity, advanced e-government services and a strong foundation for ICT operations, innovation and international collaboration.
Technology companies expanding internationally often look for locations that offer practical support throughout the investment journey.
Riga, Latvia provides dedicated investor support, assisting companies with location selection, talent attraction, market intelligence, business networking and connections to public sector partners. Additional national and municipal support measures are available for eligible investment projects, helping companies establish and grow their operations efficiently.
Technology companies need more than today's capabilities – they need a location that can support long-term innovation and growth.
Riga, Latvia combines a highly skilled talent pool, advanced digital infrastructure, a competitive business environment and a growing innovation ecosystem. Supported by strong university partnerships, continued investment in digitalization and access to the European Single Market, Riga provides a solid foundation for technology companies looking to innovate, scale and succeed in the years ahead.
Many established European data center markets now face constraints in one or more critical areas, including grid access, development of land availability and permitting timelines.
Riga remains one of the few emerging European locations where all three critical factors remain available simultaneously. The city offers scalable power infrastructure, development-ready land, accelerated permitting mechanisms through the Green Corridor programme and opportunities for large-scale heat reuse through an approximately 865 km district heating network. This combination is becoming increasingly rare across Europe's established data center markets.
Many mature European markets face growing pressure from limited power availability, land shortages, lengthy permitting procedures, and increasing operating costs.
Riga offers an alternative growth platform where power infrastructure, developable land, renewable energy, digital connectivity, and public-sector support can be combined within a single metropolitan area. For investors planning long-term AI, cloud and digital infrastructure deployments, Riga provides both immediate opportunities and future expansion potential.
Power availability has become one of the most important site-selection criteria for hyperscale, AI, and colocation operators.
Riga benefits from access to high-voltage transmission infrastructure, significant grid capacity, integration into the Continental European electricity system, and a rapidly expanding renewable energy pipeline. The region is positioned to support both near-term and long-term digital infrastructure growth while maintaining strong energy security.
The rapid growth of AI infrastructure is creating unprecedented demand for locations capable of simultaneously providing large-scale power, development-ready land, and sustainable waste-heat solutions.
Riga offers a rare combination of all three. The city provides access to scalable energy infrastructure, development-ready sites suitable for future expansion, and an approximately 865 km district heating network capable of utilizing excess heat from data center operations. This combination supports both long-term growth and increasingly important ESG objectives.
Large-scale digital infrastructure projects require not only power but also expansion-ready sites capable of supporting future development phases.
Unlike many mature European markets, Riga still offers development-ready sites suitable for data centers, AI infrastructure, and other strategic investments. Opportunities include privately owned development sites, municipal territories, industrial zones, and logistics hubs. Riga offers more than 28 hectares of municipal industrial development land, while the Port of Riga development area includes more than 200 hectares of industrial territory suitable for logistics, manufacturing and large-scale investment projects.
AI infrastructure requires a combination of energy availability, developable land, cooling solutions, connectivity, talent, and investment support.
Riga combines these requirements within a single ecosystem. The city offers scalable electricity infrastructure, renewable energy development, fiber connectivity, cooling opportunities, industrial land, and strong engineering capabilities. This creates a strong foundation for AI factories, advanced computing environments, semiconductor-related investment, and future high-performance computing projects.
As sustainability requirements increase, operators are seeking locations where waste heat can be recovered and monetized efficiently.
Riga hosts one of Northern Europe's largest district heating systems. Operated by Rīgas Siltums, the network spans approximately 865 kilometers, creating exceptional opportunities for urban-scale heat reuse. This allows data center operators to transform excess server heat into a valuable resource supporting residential, commercial, and public buildings while improving ESG performance.
Permitting timelines remains one of the biggest challenges facing digital infrastructure projects across Europe.
Riga's Green Corridor programme was created to accelerate strategic investment projects by streamlining municipal review processes and reducing administrative bottlenecks.
The programme is particularly relevant for digital infrastructure investors because it can apply to projects involving:
- New electricity supply infrastructure exceeding 2 MW
- New transformer substations of at least 110 kV
- New industrial production buildings exceeding 2,000 m²
- New warehouse and logistics developments exceeding 2,000 m²
- New boiler houses exceeding 100 MW thermal capacity
- Related infrastructure and construction works
More than 300 projects have already been supported through the Green Corridor programme, reducing project review times by an average of approximately 36 days. For data center and AI infrastructure developers, this provides a practical mechanism for accelerating project implementation.
For many operators, time-to-market has become as important as power availability.
Riga offers a favorable environment for project delivery through close cooperation between public institutions, infrastructure providers and investors. Strategic projects may qualify for Green Corridor support, which streamlines administrative procedures and can significantly reduce review timelines. Combined with proactive investor support from municipal and national institutions, Riga offers an efficient pathway from investment decision to implementation.
Data center operators increasingly seek locations where sustainability objectives align with long-term business growth.
Latvia generates a large share of its electricity from renewable sources and continues to expand renewable energy generation through new wind and solar investments. Combined with electricity grid integration, energy infrastructure development and district heating heat-reuse opportunities, Riga provides a strong platform for sustainable digital infrastructure deployment.
Sustainability has become a core requirement for digital infrastructure investors, customers, financing institutions, and operators.
Riga provides an attractive ESG proposition through renewable electricity generation, district heating integration, waste heat recovery opportunities, modern energy infrastructure, and growing adoption of sustainable development standards. The ability to reuse waste heat through one of Northern Europe's largest district heating networks creates a particularly strong sustainability advantage.
Connectivity remains a critical factor for hyperscale, cloud, AI, and enterprise operators.
Riga is positioned at the intersection of Nordic, Baltic, and Continental European digital corridors. The city benefits from redundant fiber routes, international submarine connections, carrier-neutral infrastructure, local peering facilities, multiple telecommunications providers, and low-latency access to major European markets.
Governments, cloud providers and regulated industries increasingly seek locations that combine secure infrastructure, regulatory certainty, and geopolitical stability.
As a member of both the European Union and NATO, Latvia provides a stable environment for mission-critical digital infrastructure. Riga combines carrier-neutral infrastructure, multiple international connectivity routes, strong cybersecurity capabilities, state-backed digital infrastructure assets, and EU regulatory alignment. Together, these factors make Riga a strong location for sovereign cloud, government workloads, AI infrastructure, critical data storage, and secure digital services.
Digital infrastructure operators require both physical assets and people capable of operating them.
Latvia's ICT sector employs more than 45,000 professionals and is supported by approximately 14,000 students enrolled in ICT-related studies. Riga's universities, technology companies, startups and research institutions provide a strong talent base for cloud operations, digital infrastructure management, cybersecurity and data center services.
Large-scale digital infrastructure projects require access to engineers, network specialists, cloud professionals, cybersecurity experts, and operational staff.
Riga combines strong digital infrastructure with one of the largest ICT talent pools in the Baltic region. The ecosystem spans software engineering, cloud services, telecommunications, networking, cybersecurity, electronics, automation, AI and data analytics, creating a sustainable talent pipeline for data center and digital infrastructure operators.
Access to qualified and internationally oriented talent remains a key factor for cloud providers, colocation operators and hyperscale investors.
Riga offers a highly educated and multilingual workforce. Approximately 41% of the population holds higher education qualifications, while 95% of ICT professionals are proficient in English. Riga is also home to a growing Global Business Services sector, creating additional pools of multilingual professionals with expertise in operations, customer support, finance, cybersecurity, networking and digital services.
Many established markets offer strong digital infrastructure but increasingly face constraints related to power availability, land availability, permitting complexity, or operating costs.
Riga combines many of the advantages associated with mature Northern European markets – including renewable energy, digital connectivity, political stability and favorable climate conditions – while still offering development-ready land, scalable infrastructure, heat-offtake opportunities and room for future expansion.
The European market is rapidly absorbing locations capable of supporting large-scale digital infrastructure growth.
Riga remains at a stage where power infrastructure, developable land, heat-offtake opportunities, permitting support and digital connectivity can still be secured at scale. As demand for AI infrastructure, cloud services, digital sovereignty and advanced computing continues to grow across Europe, Riga offers investors a rare opportunity to establish a presence in one of the continent's most promising emerging digital infrastructure markets.
Laura Volfa, tel. +371 22410888, e-mail: laura.volfa@riga.lv
Eva Medjāne, tel. +371 29495285, e-mail: eva.medjane@riga.lv