MTN Group, Africa’s largest telecom operator, is partnering with Dubai-based investor Tarek Al Ashram to develop a 150-megawatt AI-ready data centre network across Africa, in a move that could position the telecom giant deeper into the continent’s fast-growing artificial intelligence infrastructure market.
The partnership brings together MTN’s pan-African telecom and fibre infrastructure with Al Ashram’s experience in building large-scale data centres in the Middle East.
Al Ashram, co-founder of Gulf Data Hub, which is backed by KKR & Co., will use his investment firm to back the newly formed Africa Data Hub Holding venture, according to a report by Bloomberg published Thursday.
The funding commitment has not been disclosed. However, industry estimates put the potential cost of building 150MW of AI data centre capacity at between $3 billion and $6 billion, depending on the technology, power infrastructure, location and scale of deployment.
The project therefore represents one of MTN’s biggest bets yet on infrastructure beyond traditional telecommunications.
“We see significant potential to bring our experience in developing and operating large-scale data centre platforms to African markets,” Al Ashram said, adding that the new venture could help shape the continent’s growth.
Read also: MTN seeks local investors for $1.1bn IHS Nigeria stake to meet deal condition
MTN moves beyond telecoms
The partnership is part of MTN’s broader strategy to become more than a connectivity company.
Under its Ambition 2030 strategy, the group is seeking growth from three closely linked areas: connectivity, financial services and digital infrastructure.
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