MTN to Build 150MW AI Data Centres in Nigeria, South Africa

MTN Group, led by CEO Ralph Mupita, announced plans to develop AI-enabled data centres with an initial capacity of approximately 150 megawatts (MW) in Nigeria and South Africa. This venture will be in collaboration with an undisclosed UAE-backed investor experienced in building data centres in the UAE and Gulf countries.

The announcement was made on Tuesday as part of MTN's strategy to explore growth opportunities beyond its traditional telecommunications business, including the potential acquisition of banking licenses in select markets. The data centre initiative aligns with the projected growth of Africa's artificial intelligence market, expected to rise from $4.5 billion in 2025 to $16.5 billion by 2030, highlighting the increasing demand for computing infrastructure.

The planned data centres will initially focus on Nigeria and South Africa, with potential expansion into other markets as demand for AI-related services grows. Africa's data centre market is projected to require between $10 billion and $20 billion in investment to address the infrastructure gap.