In July, MTN Nigeria unveiled the Dabengwa Data Centre, the country’s largest prefabricated modular data facility, a bold step in redefining Africa’s digital infrastructure.
Built with 96 prefabricated containers in its first phase, the centre is designed with future-readiness at its core, integrating AI-driven energy optimisation, advanced sustainability measures, and robust hybrid cloud capabilities to meet the growing demands of enterprises.
Just this week, the facility earned the prestigious Uptime Institute’s Tier III Certification for Constructed Facility (TCCF), reaffirming MTN’s commitment to world-class standards in reliability, performance, and security.
To understand the vision behind this milestone and how it connects to MTN’s broader digital transformation strategy, Techeconomy sat down with Lynda Saint-Nwafor, chief enterprise business officer at MTN Nigeria, to discuss the role of Dabengwa in shaping data sovereignty, empowering businesses, and positioning Nigeria as a digital hub for West Africa.
Excerpt:
TE: What inspired the launch of the Dabengwa Data Centre, and how does it align with MTN’s long-term vision for digital infrastructure in Nigeria and West Africa?
Lynda Saint-Nwafor (LSN): The Dabengwa Data Centre is about data sovereignty, scale, and sustainability. It’s designed to keep Africa’s data in Africa while enabling businesses to scale securely. For MTN, it aligns with our vision to be the leading digital solutions provider across Africa, building infrastructure that supports long-term economic transformation.
TE: What makes the Dabengwa Data Centre unique in terms of scale, design, and technology? How does it compare to global standards?
LSN: Dabengwa is Nigeria’s largest prefabricated modular Tier III facility with a 9MW capacity, fully expandable to Tier IV. It meets global benchmarks for uptime, energy efficiency, and compliance, while being locally built and maintained.
TE: How will this data centre enhance data sovereignty, storage reliability, and local cloud hosting capabilities for businesses?
LSN: Hosting locally means lower latency, faster response times, and compliance with Nigeria’s data regulations. More importantly, it gives Nigerian businesses control, keeping sensitive financial, health, and government data within national borders.
TE: Can you speak to the sustainability and energy efficiency measures integrated into the modular design?
LSN: Absolutely. Modular design means we scale as demand grows, reducing wasted energy. The facility also integrates advanced cooling and power systems that lower the carbon footprint, reflecting MTN’s Net Zero 2040 commitment.
TE: How does this infrastructure position Nigeria as a digital hub for West Africa?
LSN: With Dabengwa, Nigeria has the capacity to host, store, and process data not just for local enterprises, but for regional clients. It’s a step towards making Nigeria the digital backbone of West Africa.
TE: What specific gaps or challenges in the startup ecosystem is this programme designed to address?
LSN: African startups are brilliant at innovating, but many struggle with scaling. The Cloud Accelerator addresses gaps in infrastructure, mentorship, and market access, giving founders the tools and platforms to move forward.
TE: How does the programme support startups in sectors like fintech, health tech, and agritech, especially in cloud adoption? Any consideration for media startups?
LSN: Every startup needs infrastructure that scales. Whether it’s payments, health records, or agri-data, our APIs and cloud solutions enable them to operate faster and securely. And yes, media and creative startups are welcome, because they, too, depend on scalable digital platforms.
TE: Beyond cloud infrastructure, what mentorship, funding, or market access opportunities are available to the startups?
LSN: Founders get direct mentorship from experts in Africa’s tech ecosystem, access to funding opportunities, and the chance to integrate with MTN’s platforms, unlocking real customers and revenue pathways.
TE: How are you identifying and selecting high-potential startups across Africa, and what is your vision for scaling their innovations globally?
LSN: We focus on growth-stage startups with live products and proven traction. Our vision is to help them mature in Africa, and then scale their innovations globally through MTN’s network of partners.
TE: How do initiatives like Dabengwa and the Cloud Accelerator fit into MTN’s broader digital transformation agenda?
LSN: They’re at the heart of it. Infrastructure without innovation is wasted capacity. By combining both, we’re building a pipeline for digital transformation that supports enterprises, startups, and national economies.
TE: MTN has long been a telecoms leader. How are you evolving to become a digital ecosystem enabler?
LSN: We’re moving from simply providing connectivity to enabling the entire digital value chain, infrastructure, platforms, and ecosystems. This is how we stay relevant in Africa’s future.
TE: How is MTN supporting digital inclusion among underserved communities, particularly youth and women-led enterprises?
LSN: Inclusion is non-negotiable. Through tailored SME packages, digital skills training, and now the Accelerator, we are ensuring women and young people are not left out of the digital economy.
TE: Can you share insights into MTN’s investment roadmap for emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, or 5G?
LSN: These technologies are already on our roadmap. Our infrastructure is being built to support AI-driven analytics, IoT deployment across industries, and 5G-enabled enterprise solutions.
TE: What should we expect next from MTN Nigeria in terms of innovation, enterprise partnerships, and ecosystem development?
LSN: Expect deeper partnerships, more platforms, and sustained investment in infrastructure. Our commitment is simple: enabling Africa’s digital future, one innovation at a time.
