MTN Seeks US, EU Partnership to Construct Africa’s AI Data Centres

MTN Group Ltd. which is Africa’s largest wireless carrier is currently engaging in talks with U.S. and European firms to build Africa’s AI Data Centres. This will be in a move as MTN seeks to power artificial intelligence services, CEO Ralph Mupita said.

The Johannesburg-based company will partly fund the rollout. As for now, it is seeking partners, who include hyperscalers such as Microsoft, to co-invest and scale facilities. MTN has commenced work on a $240 million data center in Nigeria and expects to finalize partnerships this year.

MTN Africa’s AI Data Centres Rollout Factsheet

Project focus: MTN Group’s strategic initiative to establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centres across Africa, with a specific focus on securing partnerships and investment from European Union (EU) and United States (US) entities.

Objective: To accelerate the development of advanced AI-ready data centre infrastructure in key African markets by leveraging technology, expertise, and capital from leading global players in the EU and US.

Key goals of partnership:

• Technology transfer: Gain access to cutting-edge AI hardware, software, and data centre management technologies.
• Investment and funding: Secure significant financial investment to fund the capital-intensive construction and operational costs of hyperscale and edge AI data centres.
• Expertise and skill development: Benefit from world-class engineering, design, and operational expertise in building and managing AI-optimized data centres, including training for local talent.

Expected benefits for Africa:

• Digital transformation: Foundation for advanced digital services, driving innovation in various sectors (e.g., healthcare, education, finance, agriculture).
• Economic growth: Creation of jobs, attraction of foreign direct investment, and development of a local digital economy.
• AI development: Enable African developers and businesses to build and deploy sophisticated AI solutions tailored to local needs.
• Data security and privacy: Enhanced local control over data, addressing concerns about data sovereignty.

Mupita said the new business unit, Genova, will lease AI computing capacity to companies and governments. Therefore, this will form part of MTN’s push to monetize infrastructure and grow new revenue streams.

Today, Africa is home to less than 1% of global AI data center capacity, concentrated largely in South Africa. Rival projects include a geothermal-powered facility in Kenya by Microsoft and G42, and Nigerian expansion plans by Airtel’s Nxtra.

Additionally, MTN is also exploring ways to secure reliable power for its facilities in countries with weak electricity infrastructure.