WIOCC Group welcomes United States (U.S.) International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) as investor alongside Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Vision Invest to accelerate Digital Infrastructure expansion across Africa. The combined investment will support WIOCC Group's long-term growth strategy, including the expansion of its terrestrial and subsea networks, data centre capacity and broader digital infrastructure platform NEW YORK, United States, September 22, 2026/APO Group/ - WIOCC Group, Africa's leading carrier-neutral digital infrastructure platform, today announced that the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) intends to join Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) (www.AfricaFC.org) and Vision International Investment Company (Vision Invest) as an investor in the company. The announcement was made following a roundtable hosted by AFC on the sidelines of Unstoppable Africa's Global Africa Business Initiative, held alongside the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The combined investment will support WIOCC Group's long-term growth strategy, including the expansion of its terrestrial and subsea networks, data centre capacity and broader digital infrastructure platform, helping strengthen connectivity, digital access and local hosting capacity across the continent. The investment comes at a pivotal moment for Africa's digital development as demand for data, cloud services and artificial intelligence continues to grow. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), only 35.7% of Africa's population was using the internet in 2025, compared with a global average of 73.6%, highlighting the scale of the continent's digital infrastructure needs and growth potential. Meanwhile, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (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. These trends underscore the importance of investing in resilient, high-capacity infrastructure that can expand digital access, support cross-border data flows and help narrow the digital divide. Operating in more than 30 African countries, WIOCC Group is a key enabler for further expansion, having established one of the continent's most extensive, open-access digital infrastructure platforms that supports its clients in accessing new markets and delivering reliable digital services at scale. With DFC, WIOCC Group brings together an expanded group of investors combining African, Saudi Arabian and U.S. development finance perspectives, reflecting the growing international consensus around the strategic importance of open-access digital infrastructure to Africa's economic transformation. DFC's investment is subject to further steps before commitment and closing, 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 Conor Coleman, DFC's Chief of Staff and Head of Investments, commented, "DFC's investment in WIOCC Group will help build the next generation of trusted, resilient digital infrastructure needed to power Africa's economic growth. This platform will not only provide the connectivity that businesses and communities need to participate in the digital economy, but it will also support American and allied partner companies seeking to grow in one of the world's most dynamic markets, including U.S. hyperscalers and the broader American technology ecosystem." Commenting on this investment, Samaila Zubairu, President & Chief Executive Officer of AFC, said, 'The Africa we build must be connected, competitive and equipped to create value from the digital economy, not only 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. Our investment in WIOCC will expand the open-access digital backbone African businesses and communities need to integrate, innovate and compete globally.' President & Chief Executive Officer of Vision Invest, Omar N. Al-Midani, added, 'WIOCC Group has built one of Africa's leading digital infrastructure platforms, and Corporate Africa is proud to partner together with DFC, AFC and WIOCC's existing shareholders as the company enters its next phase of growth. 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, necessitating impactful investments in connectivity and digital ecosystems to unlock new opportunities for innovation, economic diversification and sustainable growth as well as opportunities for businesses, innovators and communities across Africa.' Chris Wood, Group Chief Executive Officer of WIOCC Group, further explained, 'Africa is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the next phase of global digital growth. As demand for cloud, AI and digital services accelerates, robust and scalable infrastructure will be essential to unlocking the continent's potential. This additional investment increases WIOCC Group's ability to execute its long-term growth strategy by accelerating data centre deployment and consolidation, expanding the continent's open-access terrestrial fibre footprint and investing strategically in new subsea assets, strengthening Africa's digital infrastructure platform and enhancing connectivity between the continent and key international markets.' Joshua Smythwood, Group Chief Strategy and M&A Officer of WIOCC Group, concluded, 'The successful completion of this additional investment marks another important step in WIOCC Group's evolution, further enhancing the Group's financial strength and enabling the management team to strengthen its market position, accelerate growth, enhance its ability to meet the evolving needs of customers across Africa, and generate long-term value for investors and stakeholders.' The combined investment brings together AFC's long-standing commitment to advancing Africa's economic development, Vision Invest's experience in developing strategic and impactful infrastructure investments, and DFC's mandate to mobilise private capital to address development challenges. Together with WIOCC Group's established digital footprint and extensive market relationships, the partnership will support the continued expansion of Africa's digital ecosystem and the continent's growing participation in the global digital economy. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). Media Contacts: Greg Sellars Director Global Brand & Communications WIOCC Email: [email protected] Yewande Thorpe Communications Africa Finance Corporation Mobile: +234 1 279 9654 Email: [email protected] Suha Matar VP Corporate Communications Vision Invest Email: [email protected] About DFC: The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is the international investment arm of the United States Government and central to U.S. economic statecraft. DFC mobilizes private capital to advance U.S. foreign policy and economic development. Its investments deliver strong returns for American taxpayers, drive meaningful economic development for its allies and partners, and secure supply chains to counter and outcompete its adversaries. About Africa Finance Corporation (AFC): AFC was established in 2007 to be the catalyst for pragmatic infrastructure and industrial investments across Africa. AFC's approach combines specialist industry expertise with a focus on financial and technical advisory, project structuring, project development, and risk capital to address Africa's infrastructure development needs and drive sustainable economic growth. Nineteen years on, AFC has developed a track record as the partner of choice in Africa for investing and delivering on instrumental, high-quality infrastructure assets that provide essential services in the core infrastructure sectors of energy, natural resources, heavy industry, transport, and telecommunications. AFC has 48 member countries and has invested over US$19 billion in 36 African countries since its inception. About Vision Invest: Vision Invest is a leading Saudi Arabian infrastructure investment and development company at the forefront of public and private sector partnerships in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and beyond. Contributing to sustainable economic development and growth, the company operates across a wide range of vital sectors, including energy transition, advanced digital infrastructure, resource recovery and preservation, transport and logistics, and social and economic infrastructure. Its portfolio footprint spans five continents, including Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. About WIOCC: Africa's Digital Infrastructure Leader WIOCC Group is Africa's leading digital infrastructure platform, building and operating the critical infrastructure that enables intra-African and international connectivity. Through strategic investments in subsea assets, terrestrial networks, metro infrastructure, hyperscale data centres and digital platforms, WIOCC Group underpins the expansion and scalability of digital services across the continent. Its carrier-neutral, open-access approach connects businesses, communities and digital ecosystems, supporting connectivity, cloud, AI, content delivery and the continued growth of Africa's digital economy. End-to-End Enabler of Africa's Interconnected Digital Ecosystem Trusted in Africa since 2008, WIOCC Group delivers reliable, scalable and future-ready digital infrastructure that strengthens connectivity, expands access and creates the foundations for sustainable digital and economic growth across the continent.

Africa's digital infrastructure race: building the networks behind the continent's digital economy. 03/09/2026 Font size: 12px15px Africa's digital transformation is entering a new phase. For years, the continent's technology story has centred on mobile phones, fintech and a growing generation of digital entrepreneurs. Increasingly, however, attention is shifting towards the infrastructure that makes these innovations possible. Data centres, fibre-optic networks, subsea cables and cloud platforms are becoming strategic economic assets. As demand for artificial intelligence, digital payments, e-commerce and online services increases, Africa will need more than innovative applications. It will need the infrastructure to support them. A significant development this week highlights the scale of this opportunity. WIOCC Group has secured a combined $300 million investment from Africa Finance Corporation and Vision Invest to accelerate its digital infrastructure expansion across the continent. The investment will support data-centre deployment, terrestrial fibre networks and subsea connectivity. The timing is important. Only 35.7% of Africa's population was using the internet in 2025, compared with a global average of 73.6%, according to figures cited by WIOCC from the International Telecommunication Union. The gap represents a major development challenge, but also one of the continent's largest untapped markets. Connectivity is no longer simply a communications issue. It affects education, healthcare, financial inclusion, government services and business productivity. For African companies seeking to compete globally, reliable digital infrastructure can determine whether a promising business remains local or scales across borders. Data centres are particularly important. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence is increasing demand for computing power and storage, while businesses are moving more operations to cloud platforms. Without sufficient local capacity, African businesses may remain heavily dependent on infrastructure located outside the continent, increasing costs and raising questions around data sovereignty. Fibre connectivity is equally critical. Subsea cables have strengthened Africa's links with global networks, but international connectivity must be supported by strong terrestrial networks capable of moving data efficiently within and between countries. This is especially important for landlocked nations and underserved communities. Investment such as the WIOCC transaction suggests that digital infrastructure is increasingly being recognised as a commercial opportunity rather than simply a development requirement. Yet the challenge will be ensuring that investment extends beyond Africa's largest cities. Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Cairo have attracted significant digital investment, but a truly inclusive digital economy requires infrastructure in secondary cities and rural areas. Farmers need connectivity to access market information and digital services. Small businesses need reliable payment and e-commerce platforms. Students need affordable access to online education. Governments therefore have an important role to play in creating conditions that attract long-term private investment. Clear regulations, predictable licensing systems and effective competition policies can encourage infrastructure development, while public-private partnerships can help governments achieve projects that would be difficult to finance alone. Digital infrastructure also has a strategic dimension. As African economies become increasingly dependent on digital systems, countries need greater capacity to protect data, maintain secure networks and build local expertise. Partnerships with global technology companies remain important, but foreign investment should also strengthen African capabilities in cloud computing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and network management. For Africa's young population, the benefits could be transformative. Digital connectivity can expand access to skills, employment and entrepreneurship, allowing a software developer in Kigali or a fintech entrepreneur in Lagos to reach customers far beyond national borders. The continent's digital transformation is therefore moving beyond the question of who has the most innovative startup. The bigger question is who will build the infrastructure that allows those startups to scale. The $300 million WIOCC investment is one indication that the race is accelerating. Africa now has an opportunity to turn digital infrastructure from a persistent constraint into a competitive advantage. The future digital economy will depend on fibre in the ground, data centres, subsea cables, reliable power and affordable access. Building these foundations today could determine how much of tomorrow's digital value Africa is able to create and, crucially, retain.