–Ushering in New Era of Digital Sovereignty and Innovation
News Highlights:
- MTN Nigeria and Dell Technologies have launched the Dabengwa Data Centre, West Africa’s largest modular data facility.
- The $150 million facility, along with the introduction of MTN Cloud and the upcoming Cloud Accelerator Program, positions Nigeria as a regional digital hub.
In a defining moment for Nigeria’s digital future, MTN Nigeria, in strategic partnership with Dell Technologies, has launched the Dabengwa Data Centre—an ultra-modern, prefabricated modular facility that repositions the country at the forefront of enterprise IT and cloud infrastructure across West Africa.
The project, which marks a major leap in local data capacity and technological independence, also unveiled MTN Cloud, a comprehensive platform designed to meet the evolving digital needs of Nigerian businesses and startups.
Positioned as West Africa’s largest facility of its kind, the Dabengwa Data Centre incorporates 96 prefabricated containers in its first phase. It offers advanced hybrid cloud capabilities and artificial intelligence-driven energy optimisation, setting a new standard for performance, scalability, and environmental responsibility in the region’s data landscape.
According to MTN Nigeria CEO, Dr. Karl Toriola, the facility is not merely an infrastructure milestone but “a representation of technological advancements that focus on a data-centric architecture in line with Nigeria’s national direction and policy.”
The significance of this development extends beyond infrastructure. Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, described the facility as “excellent,” noting that it represents a vital piece of the country’s digital foundation.
“We don’t have to ship our data out in dollars anymore,” he said. “It is only through this kind of infrastructure that we can truly enable sovereignty, trust, and national productivity.”
Echoing this sentiment, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida, represented by Engr. Babagaba Digima, said the launch “marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and technological independence.”
He assured that the Commission “remains committed to creating an environment that supports innovation while ensuring cybersecurity, data protection, and service quality.”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, underscored the economic and developmental benefits of the facility.
“With this facility, MTN is reinforcing Nigeria’s position as the digital backbone of West Africa,” she said, adding that it offers young Nigerians and startups a platform to scale globally. “Due to the location of the data centre, Lagos now has the bragging rights.”
Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, highlighted the complexity and scale of the undertaking. “Setting up infrastructure of this size is not an easy task. I want to thank all who worked tirelessly to bring it to life,” he said.
MTN Cloud, also launched at the event, will serve as a foundation for digital acceleration in Nigeria’s enterprise sector.
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, stated: “We’ve launched Nigeria into a new tech era. A few weeks from now, we’ll roll out the MTN Cloud Accelerator for Africa, more than just another program, it’s a powerful boost for startups to thrive with global competitiveness.”
She noted that the platform, though built in Africa, will be accessible to global clients, making Nigerian innovation export-ready.
Dr. Toriola also disclosed that the data centre cost approximately $150 million, representing a “significant leap in the data landscape to meet the increasing demands of Nigerian businesses for solutions that drive growth and innovation.”
The launch aligns with Nigeria’s regulatory push to safeguard sensitive data and promote digital sovereignty. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) recently finalised a data classification framework mandating that certain types of sensitive data, such as health, financial, and government information, be hosted within Nigeria.
The Dabengwa Data Centre directly addresses this requirement by offering a secure, trusted, and locally hosted alternative that meets international standards.
This development arrives amid booming growth in Nigeria’s data centre market, projected to rise from 136.7 MW in 2025 to 279.4 MW by 2030 at a CAGR of 15.37%. With over $630 million already committed by operators to expanding capacity, MTN’s new facility significantly strengthens Nigeria’s appeal as a regional tech powerhouse.
With a bold vision to evolve from a telecoms operator into a full-fledged technology enabler, MTN Nigeria’s latest investment is a transformative step toward anchoring Nigeria’s digital economy and positioning the nation as a leader in Africa’s tech revolution.