MTN Unveils $150m Cloud Platform, Tier 3 Data Centre

MTN Unveils $150m Cloud Platform, Tier 3 Data Centre

ESTHER SALIFU, Abuja

Technology company, MTN Nigeria, yesterday restated its commitment to the digital future of Nigeria as it unveiled its enterprise cloud platform and Tier 3 data centre in Ikeja, the heart of Lagos.

Speaking during the unveiling of the telco’s Enterprise Business Cloud Platform and Tier 3 data centre, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, commended the phenomenal investment of the carrier which he said aligned with the push for the digitization of the economy and the $1trillion economy push of President Bola Tinubu as anchored in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the facility will allow start-ups and creators to build and scale up their innovations, adding that the investment by the telco is putting the nation on the path of attracting more investment.

Also speaking on the occasion, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu lauded the telco for its wise decision to invest in the state which is undoubtedly the heartbeat of technology in the country.

Represented by the Secretary to State Government, Barr. ‘Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the governor said: “As we all know, data is the new oil, the compass to a nation’s wealth and cloud technology is the engine that drives it. With this Tier 3 facility MTN is raising the bar for secure, scalable and efficient enterprise services which is a critical enabler of businesses, public services, startups and multinational corporations alike

“Lagos being home to a population moving closer to 30 million people and Nigeria’s economic nerve center, Nigeria’s commercial capital, the number one business hub of Nigeria, and the third largest economy in West Africa, the fifth largest economy in Africa and the fastest growing mega city in the world is obviously the natural choice for such a forward-looking investment.

“Hello MTN, you are wise. Do you know that in May this year 2025 Lagos was named the world’s fastest growing tech city for 2025 according to the global tech ecosystem. So where else in the world of Africa, in fact the whole world, is best for MTN’s enterprise tech investment if not Lagos, your Lagos, our Lagos, the state of excellence and currently the world’s fastest growing tech city.

“I congratulate MTN on this wise investment choice. We are pleased to announce that our collaborative path to success alongside MTN Nigeria has been a mutually beneficial endeavor. Lagos State under my administration has consistently maintained a business-friendly environment that encourages innovation, enterprise and technological growth.

“Our policies, regulatory reforms and infrastructure investments are designed to support companies like MTN in their quest to provide world-class services and create jobs for attaining youth. You know that youth development and inclusivity are the main pillars of this administration’s THEMES Plus developmental agenda. In line with our smart city agenda we have prioritized the digitization of public services, supported the development of tech paths and created opportunities for public-private partnerships to drive digital inclusion.

“MTN has been an active and dependable partner in these efforts from expanding broadband access to supporting digital literacy and ICT education across various communities in Lagos. This new data center and enterprise cloud platform represent more than a technological advancement; they symbolize the deepening of trust, collaboration and shared visions and aspirations between MTN and the Lagos state government. We are confident that these facilities will enhance the capacity of local businesses to compete globally, boost data sovereignty and drive economic growth,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Also speaking, MTN Nigeria CEO, Dr Karl Toriola, described the infrastructure as “an exceptional investment in Nigeria.”
He said the company has consistently maintained that it is the country to stay, and this is another mark of our representation and of our commitment to this country.

“We are opening the largest data centre in West Africa. It is lined with current traffic today, with a capacity of 4.5 megawatts, which will grow to 14 megawatts over the next 24 months or so.

“Today is not simply the commissioning of the state-of-the-art data centre and launch of a new cloud platform, it’s a lot more. It’s a representation of technological investment that doubles as a full statement of our steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s digital future, in line with the direction and policy of Dr. Bosun Tijani in digitising the economy, both in terms of driving economic activity and driving skills in the country. It is a significant leap in the digital landscape to meet increasing demands of Nigerian businesses for solutions that foster growth and innovation.

“Businesses can digitise their processes, improve efficiency, and drive economic growth across the nation. Our data centre is a vital resource to propel exponential growth in data usage and the data economy, and to enhance the delivery of content from major technology companies, bringing content closer to Nigerian users and improving access to speed. This local hosting of content will significantly boost user experience and service delivery.

“These facilities are designed to provide the highest levels of reliability, scalability, and security. They not only comply with local regulations, the regulations on data protection and privacy being one of the most important, but they also align with our ESG principles, and the data centre is equipped with advanced cooling and power systems, redundant network connections with seven degrees of connection to the data centre, rigorous security protocols to safeguard data against potential threats, and most importantly, it ensures our clients’ data is always safe and always accessible to them. Our vision in MTM, in alignment with the Federal Government of Nigeria, goes beyond providing solid infrastructure to Nigerian businesses.

“We are committed to building sovereign, locally managed, globally competitive digital platforms that will enable businesses to scale faster and innovate more securely while recharging services. To do this, we will continue to invest in research and development and explore new technologies and new innovations. At MTN, we believe that everyone, particularly Nigerians and Africans, deserve the benefits of a modern, connected life, and we’ll continue to do everything in our power to push boundaries for this purpose and make the seemingly impossible, unfeelable, feasible, and possible.

“There are a lot of people that have contributed to this project and we’ve invested close to $150 million in this data centre with a phase two expansion fund. I would like to express our most sincere appreciation to the valid stakeholders in the government for their consistent guidance and support. I would like to thank our partners for the enduring commitment to our goal,” Toriola said.

According to him, two things were being launched simultaneously. One is actually the physical infrastructure of the data centre. It’s live, we’ll give you a tour of it. It’s current traffic, we already have customers here.

“But the second one is our local cloud, MTN cloud, which effectively competes with the hyperscalers and allows tech companies and innovators, which I know is very close to your heart, Hon Minister, to secure cloud capacity for computing and storage in Naira at a very competitive price compared to the hyperscalers, which are generally American companies.

“So, we thank you for being here. Together, we are shaping the future of digital transformation in Nigeria, and we are beyond excited about all that is ahead of us.

“I’d also like to take one moment to highlight what has gone into this project and how it has contributed to the economy of Nigeria. Having spent close to $150 million in the infrastructure here, we have worked with local partners who have participated in the construction. We have secured planning approvals and permits for legal seats, which generates, of course, income for legal seats.

“We’ve brought in equipment from our international vendors, for which we’ve paid customs duties. We’ve built skills, and we’ve built skills in the ability of Nigerians to build infrastructure of this type. 300 people at one point in time were employed in the construction of this infrastructure, and the project is still continuing as we spoke of the expansion.

“So, we look forward in terms of the capacity we are providing for hosting and cloud services, but as we stand today, this project has contributed significantly to the economy of Nigeria, to the economy of legal space, and to skill development in Nigeria,” Toriola said.

Source: Nation