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WIOCC Group, Africa’s premier open-access digital infrastructure provider, has successfully closed a $65 million debt financing round to accelerate its expansion across the continent. The sustainability-linked facility, arranged by leading development finance institutions including IFC, Proparco, and Ninety-One (fund manager for EAAIF), will fund critical upgrades to connectivity and data centre capacity.
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This capital injection marks a significant vote of confidence in WIOCC’s strategy to build a resilient, carrier-neutral foundation for Africa’s digital economy.
Funding a Vision for a Connected Continent
The new financing will directly support WIOCC’s ambitious growth plans to scale its hyperscale network, extend its data centre footprint, and enhance the overall capacity and resilience of its pan-African digital ecosystem.
“This additional capital enables us to further scale our network infrastructure, extend our data centre footprint and enhance the resilience of our pan-African digital ecosystem,” said Samuel Ndungu, CFO of WIOCC Group.
He emphasized the funding underscores partners’ confidence in the company’s long-term role in driving Africa’s digital transformation.
CEO Chris Wood added that the funds strengthen the group’s ability to build the continent’s most open, interconnected digital ecosystem, which is essential for supporting future growth, innovation, and digital inclusion.
Strategic Partners Rally Behind Digital Inclusion
The consortium of investors highlighted the strategic importance of the investment for Africa’s socio-economic development.
- Sarvesh Suri, IFC’s Regional Industry Director for Africa, stated the financing supports WIOCC in optimizing its capital structure and mitigating currency risk to accelerate investments in resilient, open-access networks, ultimately driving job creation.
- Puleng Pitso of Ninety-One noted that digital connectivity is a powerful enabler of economic growth, and the investment aims to unlock opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco, reinforced their long-standing partnership, stating support for WIOCC’s expansion in terrestrial fibre, submarine cables, and open-access data centres is crucial for accelerating resilient, energy-efficient connectivity in key markets.
Building on a Legacy of Transformation
Since its founding in 2008, WIOCC Group has deployed over $750 million in digital infrastructure, fundamentally improving the cost and reliability of communications across Africa.
This latest $65 million raise reinforces its focused mission to construct a future-ready, inclusive, and carrier-neutral digital backbone, ensuring the continent is equipped to participate fully in the global digital economy.
