Africa’s largest telecom operator, MTN Group, is advancing plans to build large-scale data centers to support artificial intelligence, as part of a broader strategy to position itself at the core of the continent’s digital transformation.
Chief Executive Ralph Mupita said the company is in advanced talks with technology partners in the United States and Europe to co-develop facilities capable of hosting powerful computing resources. The initiative is designed to address Africa’s stark AI infrastructure shortfall, which accounts for less than 1% of global capacity.
Instead of carrying the financial burden alone, MTN intends to share the cost through joint investment, combining its own balance sheet with contributions from global partners. The business model focuses on constructing the facilities, installing advanced AI computing power, and leasing capacity to governments, enterprises, and third-party clients across Africa.
For MTN, the move represents more than a technological upgrade. Through its newly established AI data center unit, Genova, the group is targeting new revenue streams by monetizing infrastructure and opening its platforms to partners. The strategy is expected to diversify earnings while accelerating long-term growth across its markets.
The push places MTN in a competitive position when global demand for AI-ready infrastructure is surging and African economies are seeking solutions to power innovation, public services, and enterprise digitization.
