Data centers: Nigeria presents a $671 million opportunity to China
September 1st 2025
igeria is Africa’s largest telecoms market. According to official sources, it has 169.3 million mobile phone subscriptions and 138.2 million internet subscriptions.
Nigeria is keen to attract Chinese investors to its data centre market, which is estimated to be worth $671 million by 2030. The call was made by Joseph Tegbe, director general of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), at the Digital Silk Road Connection Event held in China last week, according to a statement reported by local media.
Mr. Tegbe (pictured) emphasized that the demand for digital capacity was clear and urgent in Nigeria, which already accounts for a large portion of Africa’s internet user base, with mobile traffic growing by 40% annually. He said this dynamic represents a strategic opportunity for enhanced cooperation between Asia and Africa within the framework of the “Digital Silk Road.”
According to data cited by Mr. Tegbe, the Nigerian data center market was worth $278 million by 2024. This expected growth comes amid a digital transformation as all sectors seek to integrate ICT into their operations. Research firm Mordor Intelligence estimates that the increase in smartphone usage, the growth of online shopping platforms, and the rise of mobile data will significantly boost the market.
Despite the opportunities, competition is intensifying. According to Mordor Intelligence, the main players are Africa Data Centers (Cassava Technologies), Digital Realty (Medallion Communications Ltd), MDXi (MainOne by Equinix), and WIOCC. In addition, telecom operators such as MTN and Airtel Africa have entered the market as part of their diversification efforts.
According to Mordor Intelligence, success in the Nigerian data center market relies on operators’ ability to offer comprehensive and flexible solutions, integrating reliable connectivity, direct access to cloud providers, robust infrastructure, and stable power supply. It is also crucial to invest in a skilled workforce, innovate with differentiated services including advanced security and efficient cooling solutions, and maintain good relationships with authorities and telecom partners to ensure optimal operations.
“Future success will depend on the ability to anticipate and adapt to changing customer needs, particularly in areas such as edge computing and hybrid cloud solutions. Operators must balance their expansion plans with market demand while maintaining operational efficiency and quality of service, which is a critical aspect of data center management and operations,” reads the report “Nigeria Data Center Market: Size & Share Analysis – Growth Trends & Forecasts Up To 2030.”
It should be noted, however, that this is only an invitation to invest in the Nigerian market for now. The reaction of Chinese technology companies and investors is not yet known. The terms and conditions, as well as the exact amount to be invested, are also unknown, even though Mr. Tegbe announced last July that China had committed $20 billion to invest in key sectors in Nigeria.
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