MTN forms data center venture with UAE-backed investor to boost AI-ready capacity across Africa

Pan-African telecommunications group MTN is launching a new data center venture with an unnamed UAE-backed investment platform, signaling a major push to expand digital infrastructure across the continent. The partnership, announced alongside the company’s half-year financial results, is designed to accelerate the development of AI-ready data center capacity in key African markets.

Under the agreement, MTN Digital Infrastructure has entered into a strategic partnership with a UAE-backed data center investment platform to support the growth of what the company describes as "AI-ready digital infrastructure platforms across Africa." The new entity, named Africa Data Hub Holding Limited, will combine MTN's extensive African footprint, market knowledge, and existing infrastructure assets with international investment backing and specialized data center expertise.

MTN said the venture will serve as the primary vehicle through which future digital infrastructure opportunities will be developed and scaled across the continent. "Africa Data Hub Holding Limited will serve as the platform through which future digital infrastructure opportunities will be developed and scaled across key African markets," the company stated. "The agreement marks a significant milestone in the execution of the Group's data center strategy and supports its ambition to meet growing demand for cloud, enterprise and AI-enabled services across Africa."

While the identity of the investment partner has not been disclosed, MTN will reportedly hold a minority stake in the partnership. Local press reports, citing MTN CEO Ralph Mupita, indicate the company is targeting up to 150MW of new capacity in the first phase of development. Priority markets have been identified, with South Africa and Nigeria selected for the initial deployment phase.

The move aligns with MTN's Ambition 2030 initiative, which aims to develop an AI-enabled platform to address growing demand for cloud, enterprise, and data-intensive services across Africa. The company, founded in 1994 and formerly known as M-Cell, operates more than a dozen data centers across the continent, with facilities in South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, DR Congo, Uganda, and other countries, in addition to its extensive mobile and fiber networks.

The partnership underscores a broader trend of international investment flowing into African digital infrastructure, as telecom operators and investors seek to meet surging demand for cloud services, enterprise connectivity, and AI workloads. By combining local expertise with external capital, MTN aims to position itself at the forefront of the continent's data center expansion, while also addressing the growing need for reliable, scalable digital infrastructure in emerging markets.