MTN Unveils West Africa’s Largest Tier III Data Centre

MTN Nigeria has officially launched the Sifiso Dabengwa Data Centre, marking a monumental leap forward for West Africa’s digital infrastructure.

Unveiled on July 1, 2025, this state-of-the-art facility is not only West Africa’s largest Tier III data centre but also one of the biggest across the entire African continent. Boasting a robust capacity of nine megawatts, its initial phase is already delivering a substantial 4.5 megawatts, setting a new standard for digital capabilities in the region.

The primary objective behind the Sifiso Dabengwa Data Centre is to deliver cloud services that rival global giants such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. A groundbreaking feature for Nigeria is its self-orchestration capabilities, offering businesses unprecedented control and flexibility over their cloud environments. The initiative directly responds to the escalating demand for advanced digital solutions, aiming to reduce the dependence of Nigerian startups and established businesses on international cloud providers. By offering a comparable, and in some instances, superior local alternative, MTN is empowering businesses to keep their data closer to home.

“It’s a representation of technological investment that doubles up as a bold statement of our steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s digital future, in line with the direction and policy of Dr Bosun Tijani, in digitizing the economy both in terms of driving economic activities and driving skills in the country,” stated Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria.

One of the most compelling advantages of this new facility is its ability to offer high-quality cloud services, all while being priced in Naira. This local currency pricing model is expected to make sophisticated cloud infrastructure more accessible and cost-effective for Nigerian businesses, fostering greater innovation and reducing operational complexities often associated with foreign exchange fluctuations and international billing. This move democratizes access to enterprise-grade digital tools, enabling a broader spectrum of local companies to leverage cutting-edge technology.

The impact of this colossal investment on West Africa’s digital economy is anticipated to be profound. By providing state-of-the-art, high-capacity local cloud infrastructure, MTN isn’t just launching a data centre; it’s actively enabling the growth and nurturing of the technological ecosystem within Nigeria and, by extension, the broader West African region.

The promise of lower latency and rapid data access, coupled with attractive pricing, positions this data centre as a catalyst for widespread digital transformation. Furthermore, this strategic move by MTN is seen as a crucial preparatory step for the inevitable surge in artificial intelligence adoption, ensuring that the region is well-equipped to leverage future technological advancements and remain competitive on the global digital stage.