Menu

WIOCC Group, one of Africa's largest carrier-neutral digital infrastructure providers, is set to receive investment support from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), alongside Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Saudi Arabia's Vision International Investment Company (Vision Invest), as the company accelerates the expansion of its digital infrastructure footprint across the continent.

The announcement was made during the Unstoppable Africa Global Africa Business Initiative, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The combined investment will support WIOCC's long-term growth plans, including expanding terrestrial and subsea fibre networks, increasing data centre capacity, and making broader investments in digital infrastructure to improve connectivity and local data hosting capabilities across Africa.

The investment comes amid growing demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital services across the continent. Despite rapid digital adoption, Africa remains significantly less connected than the rest of the world. According to the International Telecommunication Union, internet penetration in Africa stood at 35.7% in 2025, less than half the global average of 73.6%.

Industry leaders say the gap underscores the need for substantial investment in digital infrastructure to support economic growth, technological innovation and Africa's participation in the global digital economy.

WIOCC operates in more than 30 African countries and has built one of the continent's largest open-access digital infrastructure platforms, providing connectivity services to telecommunications operators, cloud providers and enterprises.

The entry of DFC broadens WIOCC's investor base, bringing together African, Saudi Arabian and U.S. development finance institutions behind a shared objective of expanding digital infrastructure across the continent. DFC's participation remains subject to customary approvals, including congressional notification.

"DFC's investment in WIOCC Group will help build the next generation of trusted, resilient digital infrastructure needed to power Africa's economic growth," said Conor Coleman, DFC's Chief of Staff and Head of Investments.

AFC President and Chief Executive Officer Samaila Zubairu said digital infrastructure had become as essential to economic development as transport and energy networks.

"The Africa we build must be connected, competitive and equipped to create value from the digital economy, not only consume it," Zubairu said. "Fibre, data centres and subsea cables are now essential infrastructure for growth, innovation and AI."

Vision Invest Chief Executive Officer Omar N. Al-Midani said Africa's young and rapidly growing population would continue to drive demand for digital services, creating opportunities for investment in connectivity and technology ecosystems.

WIOCC Group Chief Executive Officer Chris Wood said the additional capital would allow the company to accelerate data centre deployment, expand its terrestrial fibre footprint and invest in new subsea cable assets.

"As demand for cloud, AI and digital services accelerates, robust and scalable infrastructure will be essential to unlocking the continent's potential," Wood said.

The investment reflects increasing international interest in Africa's digital economy as governments, development finance institutions and private investors seek to address infrastructure bottlenecks and position the continent to benefit from future growth in data services and artificial intelligence.

For WIOCC, the deal strengthens its financial position and supports its ambition to play a larger role in building the digital backbone Africa needs for its next phase of economic development.