Amanze ChinonyeMTN Nigeria on Tuesday launched the first phase of the Sifiso Dabengwa Data Centre, a $120 million Tier III facility located in Ikeja, Lagos.
Touted as the largest data centre in West Africa, the facility is expected to play a critical role in Nigeria’s push for digital transformation, cloud adoption, and economic diversification.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe launch event drew key stakeholders from the government and the tech industry. Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, hailed the facility as a foundational element of President Tinubu’s ambition to grow the country’s economy to $1 trillion.
“This is part of the digital foundation of the modern economy we are building,” Tijani said. “It will provide secure and reliable computing and data storage for small and large enterprises, including government. It is only through infrastructure like this that we can ensure sovereignty, build trust, and increase national productivity.”
A New Era for Nigerian Cloud Services
Named in honour of the late MTN Nigeria CEO, Sifiso Dabengwa, the data centre currently delivers 4.5 megawatts of IT capacity, with plans to scale up to 14 megawatts over the next 24 months and potentially reach 20 megawatts. When fully completed, the project is expected to cost $235 million, including $20 million invested in cloud infrastructure.
MTN CEO Karl Toriola described the launch as a symbol of the company’s long-term commitment to Nigeria.
“We are opening the largest data centre in West Africa,” Toriola said. “This is not just an investment; it is an infrastructure backbone for innovation, cloud services, and enterprise transformation.”
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Also speaking at the event, Dr. Kole Yawo, representing the Office of the National Security Adviser, emphasized the facility’s significance for national security.
“Data is life. With data, we have power,” Yawo said. “Securing our own data within our borders is vital. This facility is now a critical national asset, and we’re working to ensure it is protected from domestic and international threats.”
He referenced the recent Critical National Information Infrastructure Order signed by President Tinubu and noted that the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre is designing a protection plan for the new centre.
A Boost for Startups, Enterprises, and the Public Sector
Lynda Saint-Nwafor, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Nigeria, highlighted the centre’s capacity to level the playing field for local businesses through Nigeria’s first self-orchestrated cloud platform allowing customers to manage computing and storage needs independently, akin to Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure.
“This is a game-changer for startups and enterprises,” she said. “It offers reduced latency, faster access, and pricing in naira, giving local businesses more predictable and affordable options without relying on foreign cloud providers.”
Representing Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Barrister Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the State Government, said the project cements Lagos’ leadership in technology and innovation.
“The Dabengwa Data Centre reinforces Lagos as Nigeria’s tech capital,” she said. “It enables secure, scalable, and efficient enterprise services essential for startups, multinationals, and public institutions.”
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inua, described the facility as a benchmark for Nigeria’s digital sovereignty.
“This infrastructure aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Abdullahi said. “Cloudification is not a luxury, it is a necessity. This sends a strong signal that we are building our own cloud power, not waiting for global hyperscalers.”
He said the centre supports NITDA’s “9-0-2 Drive”, a national framework to expand access to digital infrastructure, foster innovation, and promote inclusive economic growth.
The Sifiso Dabengwa Data Centre is more than a corporate investment it is a strategic pillar for Nigeria’s digital future. By reducing reliance on foreign cloud providers, improving data security, and expanding access to scalable cloud services, the facility is expected to benefit both the private and public sectors.
As demand for digital infrastructure grows across Africa, MTN’s bold move signals that Nigeria is not only ready to lead but to set the pace for the continent’s cloud and data revolution.
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