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.

The highly coveted certification came from the Uptime Institute.

Launched in July, the MTN Dabengwa Data Centre is Nigeria’s largest prefabricated modular data facility, built using 96 prefabricated containers in Phase 1.

Designed with future-readiness in mind, the Centre integrates AI-driven energy optimisation and robust hybrid cloud capabilities, ensuring high performance and flexibility for enterprise clients.

This latest certification follows the earlier attainment of the Tier III Certification for Design Documentation (TCDD), positioning the Dabengwa Data Centre as one of only FOUR facilities in Nigeria to hold this prestigious recognition.

Tier III Certification is a globally recognised benchmark for data centre reliability and performance. It ensures multiple independent paths for power and cooling, allowing for routine maintenance without service disruption.

With an expected availability of 99.982%, Tier III facilities are designed to deliver a maximum of just 1.6 hours of downtime per year, making them highly resilient for critical operations.

Speaking on the achievement, Dr. Karl Toriola, chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, said:

“This certification is a testament to the hard work, strategic focus, and collaboration across our teams and partners, in line with global best practices. It reflects our commitment to building top-tier infrastructure that supports Nigeria’s digital future; and we will uphold the same high standards of quality, resilience and compliance, to deliver even greater value to our stakeholders.”

As the first of MTN Nigeria’s technical facilities to receive this certification, the Dabengwa Data Centre represents a major step forward in the company’s infrastructure strategy, enhancing reliability, supporting business continuity, and strengthening its enterprise market positioning.

This milestone also reaffirms MTN’s commitment to its Ambition 2025 Strategy, which prioritises resilient digital infrastructure as a foundation for Nigeria’s growing digital economy.

With this achievement, MTN Nigeria continues to lead the way in building infrastructure that empowers businesses, enables innovation, and drives inclusive digital transformation across the country.

MTN Nigeria remains focused on expanding its digital capabilities, investing in future-ready infrastructure, and delivering solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers and enterprise partners.

This outflow, largely tied to cloud computing services, has flown under the radar for most people. But at an exclusive media briefing on Monday, June 30, that changed.

At the heart of the revelation was Lynda Saint-Nwafor, chief enterprise business officer at MTN Nigeria, who pulled back the curtain on a quiet revolution: the launch of MTN Cloud and the Dabengwa Data Centre, a 4.5MW facility designed to become Nigeria’s digital stronghold.

“When you go to Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud, you can log in and build your entire environment yourself, from anywhere in the world,” she began. “Until now, Nigerian developers couldn’t do that here. But that’s about to change.”

What MTN has built is more than just another tech product, it’s a self-orchestration cloud platform, tailored for Nigeria and built in Nigeria, enabling developers, startups, government agencies, and large enterprises to manage their compute and storage resources locally and independently at cloud.mtn.com.

The implications? Massive.

Back in 2023, when undersea cable disruptions crippled businesses across West Africa, many Nigerian financial institutions were brought to a standstill.

Their data, hosted abroad, was unreachable. With MTN Cloud, that risk becomes avoidable.

“We’ve built something local, resilient, and protected,” Saint-Nwafor said. “No more waiting on cables from Europe. No more service disruptions from data hosted across the world. MTN Cloud ensures that business continues, no matter what.”

Built for Nigeria. Priced in Naira

MTN Cloud isn’t just accessible, it’s affordable. Running on a pay-as-you-use model and priced in naira, the platform also offers advanced tools like automated APIs, role-based access controls, and real-time orchestration, the same features you’d expect from any global cloud provider.

But perhaps more importantly, it keeps Nigeria’s data, and its money, at home.

“Every year, hyperscalers take between $600 to $850 million out of Nigeria. That doesn’t need to happen anymore,” Saint-Nwafor said. “MTN Cloud gives you the same experience, and in many cases, more.”

This move positions MTN not just as a telecommunications provider, but as a key architect of Africa’s digital independence.

At a time when data sovereignty, infrastructure resilience, and cloud security have never been more urgent, MTN is planting a flag in the ground and saying: Nigeria is ready.

MTN Cloud isn’t just a new product. It’s a national milestone, a bold step toward keeping Nigeria’s data, talent, and economic value exactly where it belongs.

This isn’t just a brand refresh or a product extension. It’s a radical shift in how one of Nigeria’s most powerful companies will define its role in the digital future.

Why the Move from Telco to TechCo Matters

Historically, telecom companies have focused on delivering voice, SMS, and internet services. But MTN Nigeria sees the writing on the wall: the future lies in services, not just signals.

The TechCo model is about building and delivering digital platforms—cloud computing, data hosting, cybersecurity, IoT, AI, and edge computing—that empower businesses, startups, developers, and public institutions to innovate and scale.

The MTN Cloud platform is the first major public step in realizing this new identity.

Inside the MTN Cloud: A Local Alternative to Global Hyperscalers

At the heart of MTN’s transformation is its new Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform—MTN Cloud—accessible via cloud.mtn.com. Designed to mirror global platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, MTN Cloud offers:

• Self-service provisioning of virtual machines, storage, and network resources
• Instant scalability with modular infrastructure
• Local billing in naira, removing FX exposure
• Onshore data residency, aligned with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA)
• Pay-as-you-go pricing that’s SME-friendly
• Full API integration for developers and startups

What sets MTN Cloud apart isn’t just the technology—it’s the local context. It’s been built for Nigerian innovators, by Nigerian engineers, hosted in Nigeria, and priced in the local currency.

Dabengwa Data Centre: The Cloud’s Backbone

“The engine powering MTN Cloud is the 14-megawatt Dabengwa Data Centre, a multi-tier, AI-optimized facility capable of handling high-density compute tasks”, says Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO, MTN Nigeria.

Named after the late MTN Group CEO Sifiso Dabengwa, the centre is a tribute to both legacy and vision.

Key specs of the facility include:

• 1,500+ server racks
• AI-powered cooling systems for energy efficiency
• 24/7 intelligent monitoring dashboards
• Dual power feeds with over 11.5 MVA backup capacity
• FM2000 fire suppression and advanced physical security

This kind of infrastructure is usually associated with global tech giants—but now, it’s homegrown and locally accessible.

Meeting the Nation’s Urgent Needs

MTN Cloud arrives at a critical juncture in Nigeria’s digital journey. Businesses, financial institutions, and public agencies are under pressure to:

• Host sensitive data locally under NDPA
• Reduce reliance on unstable FX rates for cloud services
• Improve latency and service reliability for Nigerian customers
• Scale operations quickly in a fast-paced digital economy

MTN’s solution provides an elegant answer: a robust, scalable, and secure cloud environment that’s locally hosted, affordable, and fully compliant.

A Game-Changer for Startups and SMEs

For Nigeria’s booming tech ecosystem, MTN Cloud could be a game-changer.

Startups often struggle with the cost and complexity of global cloud platforms. With MTN Cloud, they can spin up infrastructure in minutes, build applications, and scale with zero hardware investment.

By offering self-orchestration capabilities, MTN is giving Nigerian developers the kind of agility and control that global platforms offer—without the FX volatility or latency.

“This isn’t just infrastructure; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of Nigerian startups,” said Lynda Saint-Nwafor, MTN’s Chief Enterprise Business Officer. “We’ve created something that’s on par with global standards, but grounded in the realities of our local market.”

Impact on Nigeria’s Economy and Digital Sovereignty

The economic impact of MTN Cloud and the Dabengwa Data Centre is profound:

• Retention of cloud spending within Nigeria
• Creation of hundreds of jobs in cloud engineering, support, and cybersecurity
• Empowerment of public sector institutions to digitize securely
• Enablement of AI, fintech, and health-tech sectors with high-performance computing power
• Stimulation of local content development and platform innovation

It also aligns with the Nigerian government’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which prioritizes data sovereignty, local hosting, and indigenous capacity building.

From Pipes to Platforms: The Bigger Picture

The MTN Cloud launch is part of the company’s broader Ambition 2025 strategy, which repositions it from a connectivity provider to a platform operator offering digital services, APIs, and ecosystems.

This mirrors global trends where telcos like Verizon, Singtel, and Orange are diversifying into cloud, cybersecurity, and enterprise tech.

MTN Nigeria’s move puts the country on the map not just as a consumer of technology, but as a creator and enabler of it.

Conclusion: Cloud as the New Currency of Innovation

In the coming years, every major innovation—whether in fintech, e-commerce, education, or AI—will be powered by cloud infrastructure. With MTN Cloud, Nigeria now has a powerful, locally-rooted platform to support this wave.

MTN’s transition from Telco to TechCo isn’t just a business decision—it’s a national milestone. It signals a future where digital services are built, hosted, priced, and protected within Nigeria, for Nigerians.

And in a world where digital independence is as vital as political sovereignty, MTN Cloud is Nigeria’s newest pillar of strength.

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This strategic partnership delivers computing power, secure storage, and seamless cloud integration, empowering businesses to enhance operational efficiency, maintain regulatory compliance, and accelerate digital transformation within a trusted, locally hosted environment.

This initiative underscores MTN’s ambition to evolve beyond a traditional telecommunications provider into a leading tech, a trusted technology partner dedicated to delivering innovative digital solutions.

The Dabengwa Data Centre is a testament to MTN’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s digital economy and providing scalable data solutions for businesses of all sizes, enabling them to compete effectively on the global stage.

The Dabengwa Data Centre stands as West Africa’s largest prefabricated modular data centre in Nigeria, using 96 prefabricated containers for Phase-1, setting a new benchmark for technological advancement and infrastructure scale in the region.

Designed with the future in mind, the data centre incorporates AI-driven energy optimisation and robust hybrid cloud capabilities, ensuring unparalleled performance and flexibility for its clients.

Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, said:

“The MTN Data centre is part of the digital foundation of Nigeria’s modern economy that we seek -one that provides, and will continue to provide world class reliability, so that we can keep our money local. We don’t have to ship it out in dollars.” 

He described the data centre as “excellent.”

While thanking MTN for providing the platform that will help accelerate Nigeria’s critical sectors, from fintech, healthcare, education platforms, and artificial intelligence, Tijani said that it is

 “only through this kind of infrastructure can we truly enable sovereignty, trust, but also national productivity.”

Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, represented by Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, secretary to the State’s Government, said:

“Investments like this one that we’re here to launch offer a platform for our young people to be able to thrive. Enterprise-grade infrastructure on our own soil, giving start-ups, developers, and data creators the ability to build and scale from Nigeria to the world. With this facility, MTN is reinforcing Nigeria’s position as the digital backbone of West Africa.”  

The Governor emphasised that due to the location of the datacentre, Lagos State now had the “bragging rights.”

The Nigerian data centre market is experiencing significant growth, with projections indicating an increase from 136.7 MW in 2025 to 279.4 MW by 2030, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.37%.

This growth is further supported by substantial investments, with data centre operators committing over $630 million to expand capacity in Nigeria.

Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), represented by Engr. Babagaba Digima, deputy director, New Media and Information Security Department, said:

“Today marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s digital sovereignty and technological independence. The infrastructure we celebrate here today embodies our collective vision of a digitally empowered Nigeria.”

Commending MTN for being at the forefront of digital innovation in Nigeria, Engr. Digima said that

“The Commission remains committed to creating an environment that supports innovation while ensuring the highest standards of cybersecurity, data protection, and a robust internet infrastructure and service quality.”

He added that at the commission “we will continue to work closely with operators to ensure that critical infrastructure deployment meets robust standards our digital economy deserves.”

AI-driven energy optimisation is a cornerstone of the Dabengwa Data Centre’s design. Artificial intelligence algorithms intelligently manage workloads and optimise energy sources, including the utilisation of green energy, to significantly reduce the facility’s carbon footprint. This commitment to efficiency ensures that businesses leveraging the Dabengwa Data Centre benefit from a sustainable and cost-effective infrastructure.

“Today is a significant day for Nigeria,” said Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, chairman of MTN Nigeria. “Setting up the infrastructure of this size is not an easy task. And I want to seize the opportunity to thank those who have been working tirelessly to make it happen.”

Dr. Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria CEO, stated:

“Today is not simply the commissioning of the state-of-the-art data centre and launch of a new cloud platform, it is a lot more. It is a representation of technological advancements that focuses on the development of a state-of-the-art commissioning and data-centric architecture in line with the direction and policy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He added that the data centre, which cost about $150 million, “is a significant leap in the data landscape to meet the increasing demand of Nigerian businesses for solutions that focus on growth and innovation.”

Speaking on the data centre and MTN Cloud, which was also unveiled to help Nigerian businesses, and boost the country’s digital eco-system, Lynda Saint-Nwafor, chief enterprise business officer at MTN Nigeria, said that the innovation has launched Nigeria into a new tech era. 

“A few weeks from now, we’ll launch the MTN Cloud Accelerator for Africa. This isn’t just another accelerator, but one that would empower the Nigeria tech-ecosystem for growth,” she said.

 The MTN Cloud Accelerator Program is tailored to support startups in the ecosystem with training and resources they needed to thrive. The MTN Cloud was built in Africa but can be accessed by local and global businesses.

The launch of the MTN Dabengwa Data Centre aligns with Nigeria’s strategic push for digital sovereignty and regulatory compliance.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has finalised a data classification framework that encourages cloud service providers to establish local operations in Nigeria, mandating that certain categories of sensitive data, including health, financial, and government data, must be hosted within Nigeria.

By providing a world-class, locally hosted environment, the Dabengwa Data Centre enables international cloud service providers to meet these critical regulatory requirements, fostering greater trust and security in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

This move is a significant step towards enhancing national security and attracting further investment in the country’s digital infrastructure.

Named after the late Sifiso Dabengwa, former CEO of MTN Group, the facility is more than just a data hub — it’s the cornerstone of MTN’s ambition to secure Nigeria’s digital future.

Designed for data sovereignty, cloud independence, and economic empowerment, the 14MW-capable modular campus features:

• 1,500+ server racks
• Tier III-level redundancy
• AI-powered cooling and monitoring
• Support for high-density workloads (up to 20kW)

Complementing the infrastructure is MTN Cloud — a locally-hosted, self-service IaaS platform priced in naira. It offers Nigerian startups, enterprises, and developers AWS-style provisioning — minus the forex barriers or regulatory risks.

With compliance to the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), MTN’s solution tackles legal, financial, and performance concerns tied to foreign-hosted clouds.

What’s at stake?
From reduced latency and job creation to digital sovereignty and local innovation, MTN’s launch signals a turning point. It’s not just about megawatts and megabytes — it’s about making Nigeria the owner of its digital narrative.

According to Dr. Karl Toriola, MTN Nigeria CEO hosting data locally also provides additional benefits beyond compliance.

It drastically reduces latency, improves service reliability, and protects against geopolitical risks associated with storing sensitive data overseas.

He emphasized that in a world where cross-border data access can be subject to foreign policies, sanctions, or surveillance, it is crucial for nations to take ownership of their digital assets.

Toriola noted that MTN’s own internal services already run on-premise in existing data centres, meaning the new Dabengwa facility will largely serve external clients.

He added that MTN currently operates three other data centres across Nigeria, collectively using about 5 megawatts of power.

The new 4.5 MW modular facility adds significant capacity, and the company has procured land with long-term expansion in mind.

He assured that MTN will continue to expand its cloud and data centre footprint in line with the growing demand for digital services.

Lynda Saint-Nwafor, MTN’s chief enterprise business officer, described the new cloud platform as a game-changer.

She said it is the first Nigerian-hosted cloud service with full self-service orchestration, matching the ease and flexibility of global cloud providers.

This allows users to log in from anywhere in the world and instantly provision computing resources, without needing MTN personnel to manually assist with onboarding.

This capability makes MTN Cloud particularly attractive to developers and tech startups, enabling faster product development and shorter time-to-market.

The economic implications of this investment are also significant. By retaining cloud-related spending within the country, MTN’s initiative reduces capital flight and keeps value circulating in the local economy.

It is expected to create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in cloud engineering, cybersecurity, support services, and data centre operations.

Furthermore, by offering affordable infrastructure to startups and SMEs, MTN Cloud will serve as a platform for local innovation and entrepreneurship.

Developers can build, test, and scale their applications within a secure and reliable environment, helping to grow the broader tech ecosystem and contribute to national GDP.

According to MTN executives, the goal is not only technological advancement but also national empowerment.

Reiterating this, Roger Shutte, MTN’s general manager for Infrastructure and Cloud Engineering, said that the Dabengwa centre is just the beginning.

He said the modular setup enables MTN to scale the campus up to 20 megawatts in the future, and the company is already considering more data centres across other regions of Nigeria to expand coverage nationwide.

Ultimately, the MTN Dabengwa Data Centre and MTN Cloud platform represent a bold step toward digital independence for Nigeria.

With high-performance infrastructure, local regulatory compliance, affordable pricing, and global-standard service delivery, MTN is offering a platform that has the potential to reshape the country’s digital landscape.

The data centre is of one of MTN’s most ambitious infrastructure projects to date, marking a significant leap in the country’s digital evolution.

With an initial investment of $100 million for phase one and a further $135 million planned for phase two, the facility stands as Nigeria’s largest prefabricated modular data centre and one of the biggest in West Africa.

This move positions the telecom giant not just as a leader in the sector but as a central player in the country’s digital transformation and cloud computing space.

Named in honour of the late Sifiso Dabengwa, a former CEO of both MTN Nigeria and the MTN Group, the data centre commemorates a man whose contributions helped shape the company’s legacy in Nigeria and across Africa. 

More than a technological facility, the Dabengwa Data Centre represents MTN’s broader commitment to Nigeria’s data sovereignty, innovation economy, and long-term digital resilience. 

MTN Dabengwa Data Centre will significantly reduce the country’s reliance on foreign cloud services and keep vital digital infrastructure within national borders.

Watch out for details…