Who are the key partners in this strategic alliance?

The partnership involves MTN Digital Infrastructure and a UAE-based data centre investment platform founded by **Tarek Al Ashram**, an experienced data centre developer, operator, and investor.

What is the primary goal of this partnership?

The primary goal is to accelerate the development of **AI-ready digital infrastructure platforms across Africa** to address the growing demand for cloud, enterprise, digital, and AI-enabled services.

Which entity will facilitate the expansion of this digital infrastructure?

The strategic partnership will be pursued through **Africa Data Hub**, which will serve as the platform for developing and scaling digital infrastructure opportunities across key African markets.

Which African countries are the initial focus for this initiative?

The initial focus for digital infrastructure development will be on **South Africa and Nigeria**, two significant markets within Africa.

How will this partnership benefit Africa's digital economy?

The partnership will provide **resilient, scalable, and locally-hosted digital infrastructure**, which is increasingly critical for Africa's competitiveness and economic growth amidst rapid advances in AI and cloud adoption.

All news

Market Data·28 August 2026

UAE-Based Firm Partners with MTN to Develop AI Digital Infrastructure Across Africa

MTN Digital Infrastructure has formed a strategic partnership with a UAE-based data centre investment platform, led by Tarek Al Ashram, to accelerate the development of AI-ready digital infrastructure across Africa.

MTN Digital Infrastructure has announced a strategic partnership with a UAE-based data centre investment platform to significantly enhance AI-ready digital infrastructure across Africa. The collaboration aims to meet the escalating demand for cloud, enterprise, digital, and AI-enabled services throughout the continent.

The UAE platform was founded by Tarek Al Ashram, a seasoned data centre developer, operator, and investor. This partnership will use MTN Digital Infrastructure's extensive African presence, market insights, and existing infrastructure assets, combining them with the UAE firm's specialized investment, development, and operational expertise in the data centre sector.

Africa Data Hub: The Platform for Expansion

The strategic alliance will be executed through Africa Data Hub, a newly established platform designed to identify, develop, and scale future digital infrastructure opportunities in key African markets. The initial focus for expansion will be South Africa and Nigeria, two of Africa's largest economies and digital hubs.

Bayobab, MTN's digital connectivity business and a shareholder in the new partnership, will provide open access connectivity and go-to-market support, utilising its vast pan-African network. This integrated approach aims to ensure robust connectivity for the developed infrastructure.

Driving Africa's Digital Economy

The initiative comes at a critical time as Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries and economies at an unprecedented pace, driving increased demand for cloud computing, AI workloads, and data-intensive digital services. Access to resilient, scalable, and locally-hosted digital infrastructure is becoming increasingly vital for Africa's economic growth and competitiveness.

"Africa's digital economy is entering a new era, driven by rapid advances in AI, cloud adoption and digital innovation. Realising this opportunity requires more than connectivity. It requires the infrastructure platforms that will power the next generation of digital services, businesses and innovation," stated Mazen Mroué, CEO of MTN Group Digital Infrastructure.

Al Ashram highlighted the successful development of world-class data centre infrastructure in the Middle East, which has supported the rapid growth of cloud, digital services, and AI. He noted that Africa presents a similarly compelling opportunity due to strong underlying demand, expanding digital economies, and a growing need for robust and scalable infrastructure. This partnership provides a strong foundation to build and scale the platform across the continent, combining local market understanding with international development expertise.

Frequently asked

Questions, answered

Who are the key partners in this strategic alliance?: The partnership involves MTN Digital Infrastructure and a UAE-based data centre investment platform founded by **Tarek Al Ashram**, an experienced data centre developer, operator, and investor.
What is the primary goal of this partnership?: The primary goal is to accelerate the development of **AI-ready digital infrastructure platforms across Africa** to address the growing demand for cloud, enterprise, digital, and AI-enabled services.
Which entity will facilitate the expansion of this digital infrastructure?: The strategic partnership will be pursued through **Africa Data Hub**, which will serve as the platform for developing and scaling digital infrastructure opportunities across key African markets.
Which African countries are the initial focus for this initiative?: The initial focus for digital infrastructure development will be on **South Africa and Nigeria**, two significant markets within Africa.
How will this partnership benefit Africa's digital economy?: The partnership will provide **resilient, scalable, and locally-hosted digital infrastructure**, which is increasingly critical for Africa's competitiveness and economic growth amidst rapid advances in AI and cloud adoption.

Reported by

Logistics & Data-Centre Real Estate

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This brief was summarised and rewritten by Gaia Living from public reporting. Figures and details reflect the original sources.

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