With this, Dell could add more than $80 billion to its market value.

The company reported first-quarter revenue of $43.8 billion for its 2027 fiscal year, far ahead of analyst expectations of about $35 billion.

Earnings also came in stronger than expected, with adjusted earnings per share reaching $4.86 compared with forecasts of roughly $2.94. Net income climbed 256% year-on-year to $3.44 billion.

The strongest growth came from Dell’s Infrastructure Solutions Group, the division responsible for servers and data-centre systems. Revenue in that business jumped 181% to $29 billion as companies continued spending heavily on AI infrastructure.

Dell noted that AI server sales alone reached $16.1 billion during the quarter, up 757% from a year earlier.

The company also booked $24.4 billion in new AI server orders, pushing its backlog to $51.3 billion. That means Dell still has tens of billions of dollars’ worth of systems waiting to be delivered over the coming quarters.

Investors focused heavily on the growing backlog because it gives Dell unusual visibility into future demand at a time when many technology companies still find it difficult to predict how long the AI spending wave will last.

Following the results, Dell raised its full-year revenue forecast to between $165 billion and $169 billion, up from earlier guidance of $138 billion to $142 billion.

The company now expects AI server revenue to hit roughly $60 billion this year, compared with its previous estimate of $50 billion.

Adjusted earnings per share guidance also increased to $17.90 from $12.90.

Dell’s recent growth has been tied to Nvidia, whose graphics processors power most of the company’s AI systems. The results came only days after Nvidia itself reported record data-centre revenue of $75.2 billion, up 92% from a year earlier.

Together, the numbers from both companies point to aggressive spending on AI infrastructure by major technology firms and cloud providers.

Dell has benefited from orders linked to companies including Alphabet, Amazon and CoreWeave, as well as large AI data-centre projects in Europe.

The company has also expanded its partnership with Nvidia through Project Helix, an initiative designed to help businesses build and deploy AI systems more quickly.

The latest earnings added to signs that demand for enterprise AI infrastructure remains strong across the industry. Lenovo recently reported strong AI server growth, while Super Micro Computer continues expanding manufacturing for GPU-based servers.

Technology companies are expected to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI data centres this year as competition around AI services intensifies.

Before the recent shares surge, Dell spent years being seen mainly as a PC and storage company. Now, investors view it as one of the major suppliers benefiting from the global vision to build AI infrastructure.

Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, who was accompanied by an executive delegation of senior company leaders, led the strategic meeting.

The visit celebrated a successful partnership and renewed the commitment to deepening collaboration between two of the most influential players in Africa’s tech distribution ecosystem.

The highlight of the visit was the presence of Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, chairman of Zinox Group — TD Africa’s parent company — who graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour.

His attendance underscored the significance of the partnership between TD Africa and Dell Technologies and the broader strategic vision of the Zinox Group for Africa’s digital advancement.

Commending TD Africa for initiating the visit, Dr. Ekeh emphasised the importance of continuously reinforcing valuable partnerships in today’s fast-paced technology landscape.

While appreciating Dell Technologies’s consistency and vision, he remarked, “Strategy alone is not a solution in the 21st century. Take action. The result will tell the story.”

His comment was a rallying call for action-driven collaboration and innovation that delivers measurable impact across Africa.

Reflecting on the enduring partnership, Mrs. Ekeh said,

“Our journey with Dell Technologies is more than just business. It’s a story of trust, growth, and shared purpose. From the very beginning, Dell Technologies has exemplified the kind of partnership we value: innovative, responsive, and deeply committed to Africa’s digital transformation. At TD Africa, we are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Dell Technologies, distributing technologies that enable transparency, empower institutions, and drive the future of work. As we look ahead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to expanding access, accelerating innovation, and amplifying impact across the continent.”

The reception from Dell Technologies was equally enthusiastic.

Abimbola Owoeye, Dell’s Country Lead for Nigeria, emphasised the mutual respect and strategic importance of the relationship.

“TD Africa remains one of our most trusted and influential distribution partners in the region. Their consistency, market insight, and integrity are unmatched.

“In today’s world, where integrity and innovation must go hand in hand, I firmly believe that the cure to corruption is technology, and TD Africa sits at the helm of distributing technologies that challenge inefficiency and promote accountability across Africa. We look forward to building even greater momentum together,” Abimbola added.

The meeting concluded with both parties aligning on key priorities for the remainder of 2025, including expanded market reach, joint capacity-building initiatives, and aggressive penetration of underserved sectors through cutting-edge Dell solutions.

TD Africa’s continued engagement with global OEMs, such as Dell Technologies, underscores its mission to ensure the accessibility, affordability, and usability of technology across Africa.

The launch, which held at the Lagos Continental Hotel recently, was aimed at providing Nigerian businesses with a comprehensive understanding of the PowerFlex solution, designed to harness capabilities and achieve unparalleled flexibility among businesses.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Kingsley Edionwe, the Enterprise Project Manager at Mitsumi Distribution, said the solution would improve business productivity and address business challenges, adding that Powerflex Solution also offers all-encompassing solution that prioritises sustainability, connectivity and security.

One of the partners who is an IT Professional, Lilian Tilley-Gyado, commended the solution and said the Poweflex solution would allow users to have the same experience in cloud, while on-premises of the organisation, and still have full control of the data stored in cloud, from the office location.  

One of the main focuses of the event was PowerFlex for Multi-cloud and Containers, showcasing how the innovative technology enables businesses to seamlessly manage and orchestrate their workloads across diverse cloud environments. 

Through interactive sessions and live demonstrations, participants gained valuable insights into the benefits and best practices of leveraging PowerFlex in a multi-cloud and containerised ecosystem.

Mitsumi demonstrated its commitment to supporting its partners in the Dell business.  Mitsumi’s dedicated team worked closely with partners, offering them personalised support, training, and resources to optimise their Dell business. By leveraging Dell’s robust portfolio, including PowerFlex, Mitsumi helps partners deliver superior value to their customers, driving growth and success.

The PowerFlex solution is a software defined storage solution that can be used by organisations to support storage.

Moving beyond technology access for education alone, the hubs improve access to technology, healthcare and workforce skills for communities in remote areas around the world.

The Solar Community Hubs will be built with Dell technology-enabled solutions and look to introduce 5G, edge computing and other services. Each hub will be managed by the community and will offer services based on each community’s unique needs.

The hubs will provide communities with access to water and electricity, healthcare and resources for environmental preservation. Community members can also access technical skills training, entrepreneurship support, education and career guidance, and revenue-generating services to support job creation and financial sustainability.

“Research shows that the greatest impact starts with empowering local communities,” said Cassandra Garber, VP of Environmental and Social Governance, Dell Technologies. “By introducing the Solar Community Hubs, communities will have access to resources and infrastructure to address their most pressing issues. This evolution puts community needs at the center, and we are eager to see – and be a part of – the impact these community partnerships will have around the globe.”

Digitizing the Amazon to Support Sustainability

Dell Technologies recently introduced the first Solar Community Hub in Boa Esperanca, Brazil, in partnership with the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability (FAS), bringing digital tools like Latitude Rugged, desktops, servers, projectors and Wi-Fi to community members in a dozen outlying riverside communities and Indigenous tribes in the Amazon. Community members, who previously traveled far for modern services and school, can now continue their education, take vocational courses, start college and prepare for the job market – in their own community.

The hub is also designed with circularity at its core, using repurposed shipping containers, sustainably sourced wood and furniture, and solar panels so devices run primarily on renewable energy.

Participants in the project are part of FAS’ Bolsa Floresta program, a government initiative of the State of Amazonas introduced in 2008 to decrease deforestation through community building. The hubs help improve the lives of people living in the Amazon who then cultivate a more sustainable relationship between the rainforest and its residents.

Power in Partnership

Dell currently collaborates with approximately 60 strategic partners globally, including Computer Aid, Dell’s nonprofit partner for Solar Community Hub development. Computer Aid helps identify the locations and local partners who can help make the hub a reality.

Since 2011, Dell and Computer Aid have partnered to support 24 Solar Learning Labs, which reach 18,000 students and community members per year in countries including Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.

Dell also works with customers, partners– like Intel and Microsoft – and other stakeholders to bring additional resources and capabilities to the communities based on local needs. Partners and customers can now join Dell Technologies and Computer Aid in supporting the roll out of the Solar Community Hubs over the coming years.