Nigeria has just taken a bold step in securing its place at the heart of West Africa’s digital economy. In Lagos, MTN Nigeria, in collaboration with Dell Technologies, has unveiled the Dabengwa Data Centre — the country’s largest and most advanced modular data facility to date.
The launch was applauded by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Barr Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin. She described the project as “a platform for our young people to thrive, enterprise-grade infrastructure giving start-ups and developers the ability to scale from Nigeria to the world.”
Positioned in Lagos, this $150 million centre is not just a building — it is the backbone for next-gen businesses. It brings scalable cloud solutions, AI-powered optimisation, and green energy design to Nigeria’s fast-growing tech ecosystem.
A Power Shift: Nigeria’s Digital Sovereignty Strengthens
This facility is part of MTN’s wider vision to evolve into a tech powerhouse beyond traditional telecom services. With 96 prefabricated modules powering its Phase 1 setup, the Dabengwa Data Centre now stands as West Africa’s largest modular facility, setting a new bar for innovation and local data hosting.
Dr. Karl Toriola, CEO of MTN Nigeria, explained that the centre “isn’t just a launch — it’s a leap. A leap toward a data-centric future where Nigerian businesses grow with the right digital tools.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Communications, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, described the launch as a key moment for Nigeria’s digital sovereignty. “This is how we stop exporting our data in dollars,” he said, pointing out that the infrastructure will boost fintech, AI, education, and healthcare.
Beyond the Cloud: MTN’s Next Chapter in Tech Acceleration
The Dabengwa facility comes equipped with AI-driven energy optimisation, ensuring cost-efficient operations and reducing carbon footprint. This helps businesses scale sustainably while keeping operations local.
Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, Chairman of MTN Nigeria, acknowledged the long hours behind the massive infrastructure. “Today is a significant day for Nigeria. This was no small feat,” he said.
MTN has also launched MTN Cloud, a service aimed at supporting local businesses. According to Chief Enterprise Business Officer Lynda Saint-Nwafor, it will soon be followed by the MTN Cloud Accelerator for Africa. She noted that “this will empower Nigeria’s tech ecosystem for growth — not just now, but for the future.”
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