Construction of West Africa’s Largest Data Center to Begin to Begin in Nigeria – MTN

MTN Nigeria has taken a bold step forward in digital infrastructure by announcing the construction of West Africa’s largest data center. Set to be located within Nigeria, this state-of-the-art facility boasts a 1,500-rack capacity and Tier 4 standards, the highest for data centers. 

Its design ensures 99.995% uptime, making it incredibly reliable and capable of operating through almost any disruption.

During a press event in Lagos, Mohammed Rufai, the Chief Technical Officer of MTN, emphasized that the construction of this data center is a strategic move to bolster Nigeria’s digital capabilities. 

“This isn’t just a building full of servers. It’s a leap towards future-proofing our country’s digital landscape,” Rufai explained. The data center will serve as a crucial backbone for both businesses and consumers throughout Nigeria, meeting the escalating demands for data and digital services.

Rufai highlighted the significant benefits this facility would bring

Not only will it allow businesses to outsource their data management by eliminating the need for in-house server rooms, but it will also improve efficiency and support the digital operations of many companies.

 “From major tech companies like Meta and Google to local startups, our data center will enhance how content is delivered and accessed, speeding up everything from loading times to data processing,” he added.

Local hosting of digital content is expected to boost network efficiency significantly, improving user experiences across the board. With data usage on the rise and new digital services emerging, the expansion of MTN’s data center capabilities is timely.

Beyond its technical prowess, the data center is seen as a catalyst for economic growth. It aims to provide scalable and adaptable digital infrastructure that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can leverage to innovate and compete more effectively in the marketplace. 

“We are setting the stage for a digital revolution, where local businesses can easily access cloud services and other digital tools to drive innovation and efficiency,” said Rufai.

MTN’s commitment extends beyond business expansion. The data center aligns with the company’s Ambition 2025 strategy, focusing on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals. 

Plans are in place to utilize energy-efficient cooling systems and a mix of traditional, gas, and renewable energy sources, to reduce the carbon footprint. 

“Our approach to energy consumption is to be as efficient as possible, understanding that up to 60% of a data center’s power use goes towards cooling. We’re committed to achieving our sustainability targets,” Rufai noted.