MTN Forms African Data Center Platform with Initial 150MW Planned

en.Wedoany.com Reported - MTN Group's MTN Digital Infrastructure has established a strategic partnership with a UAE-based data center investment platform founded by Tarek Al Ashram, with both parties set to develop AI-ready data center infrastructure through Africa Data Hub Holding Limited, targeting South Africa and Nigeria as the initial markets. MTN management has further outlined the Phase 1 construction scale: a combined approximately 150MW of data center capacity planned across the two countries, with subsequent capacity to be expanded in phases based on customer demand.

The accelerating growth in demand for cloud computing, AI workloads, and data-intensive digital services has made Africa's need for resilient, scalable, and localized digital infrastructure increasingly critical. This partnership is part of MTN's "Ambition 2030" strategy, aimed at supporting the next phase of Africa's digital transformation and economic development.

Under the partnership arrangement, MTN Digital Infrastructure will provide its African footprint, market knowledge, and infrastructure assets, while the UAE data center investment platform will contribute investment, development, and operational expertise in the data center sector. The UAE platform was founded by Tarek Al Ashram, a data center developer, operator, and investor with a proven track record of projects in the Middle East. Bayobab, as MTN's digital connectivity business unit, will participate as a shareholder in the partnership, providing open-access connectivity and go-to-market support through its pan-African network, enabling customers to access world-class digital infrastructure services across multiple markets.

Mazen Mroué, CEO of MTN Group Digital Infrastructure, stated that Africa's digital economy is entering a new phase driven by AI, cloud adoption, and digital innovation, and seizing this opportunity requires not only connectivity but also the infrastructure platforms that underpin next-generation digital services. This partnership brings together investment, infrastructure expertise, connectivity, and market access on a single platform to serve hyperscale cloud providers, cloud providers, enterprises, and technology innovators across Africa.

Tarek Al Ashram stated that over the past few years, the growth of data center infrastructure in the Middle East has supported the rapid expansion of cloud services, digital services, and AI. A similar opportunity is emerging in Africa, underpinned by strong underlying demand, a rapidly expanding digital economy, and sustained demand for resilient and scalable infrastructure. Combining his experience in developing and operating large-scale data center platforms with MTN's extensive African footprint and understanding of local markets provides the foundation for investing in and driving this growth through Africa Data Hub Holding Limited.

This partnership focuses on building open, scalable digital infrastructure to support innovation, economic inclusion, and long-term growth, while strengthening Africa's position in the global digital economy.