MTN Group is stepping deeper into Africa’s booming artificial intelligence space, with plans to develop AI-enabled data centres with an initial capacity of about 150 megawatts (MW) across Nigeria and South Africa. The project will be carried out through a venture with an undisclosed UAE-backed investor experienced in developing data centres across the Gulf region.
MTN Group CEO Ralph Mupita disclosed the plan on Tuesday while highlighting opportunities for the telecommunications giant to expand beyond traditional telecom services. He also revealed that MTN is exploring banking licences in selected markets, which could eventually allow the company to lend directly to customers from its own balance sheet.
The data centre project comes at a time when demand for AI computing infrastructure is accelerating across Africa. The continent’s AI market is projected to grow from $4.5 billion in 2025 to $16.5 billion by 2030, creating greater demand for the powerful computing facilities needed to build and operate AI applications. Under the planned venture, Africa Data Hub Holding, MTN will remain a minority investor, while its UAE-backed partner is expected to provide most of the funding and technical expertise.
Nigeria and South Africa will serve as the initial markets for the 150MW development, with future expansion expected to depend on demand for computing capacity. The move builds on MTN’s broader digital infrastructure ambitions. In July 2026, MTN Nigeria launched the Sifiso Dabengwa Data Centre, a 9MW Tier III facility that the company described as one of the largest in Africa and the largest of its kind in West Africa.
Africa’s shortage of data centre infrastructure makes the investment particularly significant. The International Monetary Fund estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa has only about 160 data centre facilities, representing roughly 5.5% of global installations. With AI adoption expected to surge, the continent could require between $10 billion and $20 billion in additional data centre investment in the coming years. MTN’s latest move positions the company to tap into that growing demand while helping expand the digital infrastructure needed for Africa’s AI future.
source: nairametrics
