LAGOS, Nigeria – In a landmark move for Nigeria’s digital economy, MTN Nigeria has launched the Dabengwa Data Centre, a $150 million state-of-the-art facility in Lagos, with plans to invest an additional $135 million in expansion. Named after Sifiso Dabengwa, former MTN Group CEO, the centre is positioned as West Africa’s largest modular data hub, designed to accelerate Nigeria’s cloud independence and data security.
A New Era for Nigeria’s Digital Infrastructure
The 14MW-capacity facility is built to Tier III standards, featuring:
✔ 1,500+ server racks
✔ AI-driven cooling & security systems
✔ High-density workload support (up to 20kW per rack)
✔ Full compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Act (NDPA)
Complementing the infrastructure is MTN Cloud, a locally-hosted Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform priced in naira, eliminating forex barriers for startups and enterprises.
Why This Matters
Data Sovereignty – Reduces reliance on foreign cloud providers, keeping sensitive data within Nigeria.
Lower Latency – Faster speeds for local businesses and digital services.
Economic Impact – Cuts capital flight, creates jobs in cloud engineering, cybersecurity, and IT support.
Startup Empowerment – Affordable cloud services for SMEs to scale without forex constraints.
MTN’s Vision: A Digitally Independent Nigeria
Dr. Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria CEO, emphasized the strategic importance of local data hosting:
“In a world where cross-border data access can be restricted by foreign policies, Nigeria must control its digital destiny. This facility ensures security, speed, and sovereignty.”
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, MTN’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer, added:
“MTN Cloud is Nigeria’s first self-service cloud platform, rivalling global providers like AWS—but with local pricing and compliance.”
Expansion Plans & National Coverage
The Dabengwa Centre is just phase one of MTN’s data infrastructure push:
✔ Modular design allows scaling to 20MW
✔ Three existing data centres (5MW total) already operational
✔ More facilities planned across Nigeria
Roger Shutte, MTN’s GM for Infrastructure & Cloud Engineering, stated:
“We’re building a network of data centres to ensure nationwide coverage, supporting Nigeria’s booming digital economy.”
The Bigger Picture
This investment aligns with Nigeria’s push for digital transformation, offering:
A secure alternative to foreign cloud providers
A launchpad for local tech innovation
A foundation for 5G, AI, and IoT growth
With the Dabengwa Centre, MTN isn’t just storing data—it’s storing Nigeria’s digital future.
