Purpose: This study aimed to examine the roles of big data analytics technological capabilities (BDATC) on the performance of private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in Malaysia. This study explored mediating effect of strategic agility (SA) between BDATC and PHEIs' performance. The moderating effect of enterprise risk management (ERM) influencing the relationship between SA and PHEIs performance was also examined. Design/methodology/approach: To evaluate the hypotheses, data were collected from PHEIs in Malaysia using an online survey questionnaire. Structural equation modelling software SmartPLS 3.3.9 was used to analyse the 186 valid responses received. Findings: This empirical research discovered that BDATC and SA have positive and significant impact on PHEIs' performance. BDATC has positive and significant influence on SA of PHEIs. Moreover, SA mediates the influence of BDATC on PHEIs' performance. ERM enhances the impact of SA on performance of PHEIs in Malaysia. Originality/value: The findings contributed to the advancement of the resource-based view (RBV) theory and dynamic capability theory (DCT). Practitioners of PHEIs will understand how to maximise the resources and skills to improve BDATC, SA and ERM that eventually drive the performance of the practitioners' institution.