Africa’s leading carrier-neutral digital infrastructure platform has signed a Shareholder Subscription Agreement with Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Vision International Investment Company (Vision Invest), under which the two investors will inject a combined US$300 million into the company.
The agreement was signed at the LEAP 2026 Global Technology exhibition in Riyadh. The investment marks a major milestone in WIOCC’s growth strategy and will support its mission to build and operate open-access critical infrastructure across the continent, strengthening the digital foundations of Africa’s economic transformation.
The funding comes as demand for data, cloud services and artificial intelligence continues to rise. According to the International Telecommunication Union, only 35.7% of Africa’s population was using the internet in 2025, far below the global average of 73.6%. At the same time, UNCTAD projects the global AI market will reach US$4.8 trillion by 2033, while warning that access to AI capabilities and digital infrastructure remains concentrated in a limited number of countries and companies.
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WIOCC currently operates in more than 30 African countries and has built one of the continent’s most extensive open-access digital infrastructure platforms. The company is backed by a group of African telecommunications operators and strategic investors, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and African Capital Alliance (ACA). Its shareholders include Uganda Telecom, Dalkom Somalia, Djibouti Telecom, Mozambique Telecom (TMCEL), Zanzibar Telecom (Zantel), Botswana Fibre Networks (BoFiNet), Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), ONATEL, TelOne and Telkom Kenya.
Samaila Zubairu, President and Chief Executive Officer of AFC, said the investment is aimed at equipping Africa to create value from the digital economy rather than simply consume it. “Just as transport corridors enable trade and energy networks power industry, fibre, data centres and subsea cables are now essential infrastructure for growth, innovation and AI,” he said. “Our investment in WIOCC will expand the open-access digital backbone African businesses and communities need to integrate, innovate and compete globally.”
Chris Wood, Group Chief Executive Officer of WIOCC Group, said the capital will enable the company to accelerate data centre deployment and consolidation, expand its terrestrial fibre footprint and invest in new subsea assets. “Africa is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the next phase of global digital growth,” he said. “This investment strengthens Africa’s digital infrastructure platform and enhances connectivity between the continent and key international markets.”
Omar N. Al-Midani, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vision Invest, highlighted the long-term opportunity. “Home to the world’s youngest population and expected to account for more than one-quarter of the global population by 2050, demand for digital services in Africa will continue to rise,” he said.
“This necessitates impactful investments in connectivity and digital ecosystems to unlock new opportunities for innovation, economic diversification and sustainable growth.”
Joshua Smythwood, Group Chief Strategy and M&A Officer of WIOCC Group, described the deal as an important step in the company’s evolution. It will strengthen WIOCC’s financial position, accelerate growth and improve its ability to meet customer needs across the continent while generating long-term value for investors and stakeholders.
