Africa’s largest telecom operator, MTN Group, is in advanced negotiations with US and European partners to build a network of data centers across the continent, an ambitious plan aimed at powering artificial intelligence (AI) services and addressing Africa’s severe AI infrastructure gap.
The initiative is part of MTN’s broader effort to diversify revenue beyond traditional telecoms, monetize infrastructure, and position itself as the digital backbone of Africa’s fast-growing economies.
CEO Ralph Mupita confirmed in an interview with Bloomberg that MTN will fund part of the data center build-out directly while partnering with global co-investors, AI infrastructure specialists, and hyperscalers like Microsoft.
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“We are now in the commercial negotiation phase and shortlisting partners who can help us scale. Our goal is to conclude these partnerships within the year,” Mupita said.
MTN’s AI data unit, Genova, is at the core of this plan. Genova is already operational, deploying AI across MTN’s 16 markets to optimize network traffic in Nigeria, manage fuel consumption in South Africa, balance energy systems in Benin, and detect fibre cuts in Côte d’Ivoire. Beyond internal use, the new data centers will lease computing power to businesses and governments hungry for AI-driven services.
MTN recently launched West Africa’s largest Tier III data center in Lagos, named the Sifiso Dabengwa Data Centre. With nine megawatts of capacity and cloud infrastructure that MTN claims rivals Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, the facility strengthens the continent’s ability to host advanced digital services.
Africa’s AI Gap
Despite its demographic edge—Africa is home to the world’s youngest population—the continent has less than 1% of global AI data center capacity. South Africa currently dominates what little exists, hosting facilities from Microsoft, Amazon, and Alibaba.
Competitors are also circling. Microsoft and Abu Dhabi’s G42 recently announced a geothermal-powered data center in Kenya, while Airtel Africa, led by billionaire Sunil Mittal, is building AI infrastructure in Nigeria under its Nxtra subsidiary. Airtel has also struck a deal with Xtelify to roll out AI-powered platforms across 14 markets, designed to give its 150,000 field agents real-time insights into customer behavior.
But Mupita acknowledged a core obstacle: reliable electricity. With power infrastructure fragile in many African countries, running large-scale data centers is expensive and complex. He said MTN is exploring renewable and alternative energy sources to ensure viability.
MTN’s Legacy: Leading Every Tech Leap
MTN’s AI ambitions are consistent with its history of taking the lead on transformative technologies in Africa. The company was among the earliest to deploy 4G networks at scale and again led the rollout of 5G services on the continent, launching commercial 5G in South Africa as early as 2020.
In Nigeria, MTN was the first operator to win a 5G spectrum license and turned on its network in 2022, well ahead of most competitors. The move cemented its reputation as the pacesetter for mobile broadband technology in Africa. Telecom industry analysts often note that MTN’s aggressive 5G deployment gave it an edge in offering high-speed services to businesses, governments, and consumers.
MTN is now attempting to repeat this playbook—being first to market with the infrastructure needed to power the next wave of digital innovation by pushing into AI data centers.
Unlike foreign hyperscalers who tend to concentrate capacity in single stable hubs, MTN is spreading its AI infrastructure across 16 diverse markets. This broader footprint, while riskier, could allow MTN to dominate markets overlooked by global players.
Airtel Africa, meanwhile, has opted for partnerships that focus more on software-driven AI solutions rather than heavy infrastructure, signaling a less capital-intensive approach. By contrast, MTN is doubling down on physical infrastructure and betting on long-term control of Africa’s digital backbone.
If MTN’s bet succeeds, it could trigger a domino effect similar to what happened with mobile connectivity. Its early leadership in mobile and 5G adoption forced rivals to catch up and expanded digital access across the continent. Now, with AI data centers, MTN is seeking to position itself as the gateway to Africa’s AI-powered future, one where local businesses and governments no longer rely solely on offshore servers.