WIOCC raises $300M from AFC and Vision Invest to accelerate expansion across Africa. September 1, 2026 Discover more Implementing Enterprise AI And Machine Learning Tools Financial technology platform Analyzing Demographic Market Data WIOCC Group, Africa's top carrier-neutral digital infrastructure firm, has secured $300 million investment to expand its open-access, critical infrastructure across Africa at a pivotal moment when Africa's demand for data, cloud services and artificial intelligence continues to grow. The investment via a Shareholder Subscription Agreement (SSA) with Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Vision International Investment Company (Vision Invest) was signed at the LEAP 2026 Global Technology exhibition in Riyadh. In a press statement seen by TechMoran, Chris Wood, Group Chief Executive Officer of WIOCC Group, said, "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." AI technology services Wood added that this investment will enable WIOCC to accelerate data centre deployment and consolidation, expanding open-access terrestrial fibre footprint and invest in new subsea assets to strengthen Africa's digital infrastructure platform and enhance connectivity between the continent and key international markets. Discover more Startup funding guide Exploring Engineering Solutions 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. WIOCC Group operates in more than 30 African countries with support from top firms such as International Finance Corporation (IFC) and African Capital Alliance (ACA) and various telcos across Africa. This new investment will helpit expand and serve more customers in these markets. Discover more Comparing High-Yield Savings Accounts Tech news reporting In December 2025, WIOCC raised $65 million in debt financing to expand its network and data centre footprint across the continent. The facility, structured as sustainability-linked debt, was arranged by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Proparco, Emerging Africa Infrastructure and Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), and asset manager Ninety-One. Comparing Small Business Loans In March the same year, WIOCC signed a colocation agreement with iColo, a carrier-neutral data centre provider to accelerate the growth of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in Mombasa and across Kenya. The collaboration was expected to enhance digital infrastructure, improve interconnectivity and unlock new market opportunities for ISPs, ultimately contributing to Kenya's rapidly expanding digital economy. "The Africa we build must be connected, competitive and equipped to create value from the digital economy, not only consume it," said Samaila Zubairu, President & Chief Executive Officer of AFC, "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." Climate business loans Together, AFC, Vision Invest and WIOCC aim to contribute to accelerating the development of Africa's digital ecosystem and supporting the continent's growing role in the rapidly evolving global digital economy. Discover more Businesses Subscribing To Premium Business Outlets 'WIOCC Group has built one of Africa's leading digital infrastructure platforms, and we are proud to partner together with 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," concluded President & Chief Executive Officer of Vision Invest, Omar N. Al-Midani.

Wiocc Group has signed a $300-million investment agreement with the Africa Finance Corporation and Saudi Arabia’s Vision Invest.

WIOCC Group secures strategic investment from AFC and Vision Invest to accelerate its Digital Infrastructure expansion across Africa. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1st September 2026 - WIOCC Group, Africa's leading carrier-neutral digital infrastructure platform, today announced the signing of a Shareholder Subscription Agreement (SSA) with Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Vision International Investment Company (Vision Invest), through which the two investors will make a combined US $300 million investment in the company. Signed at the LEAP 2026 Global Technology exhibition in Riyadh, the agreement represents a significant milestone in WIOCC Group's growth journey, supporting its mission to build and operate open-access, critical infrastructure across Africa and to strengthen the digital ecosystems that underpin Africa's economic transformation. 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 today 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. Since its establishment, WIOCC Group has been supported by a group of African telecommunications operators and strategic investors, alongside leading international development and investment institutions 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. The backing of these leading investors and operators has been instrumental in WIOCC's growth into one of Africa's most extensive and trusted digital infrastructure platforms, delivering connectivity services across the continent and contributing to the continued growth of Africa's digital economy. 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.' 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 investment enables WIOCC 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.' 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 we are proud to partner together with 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.' Joshua Smythwood, Group Chief Strategy and M&A Officer of WIOCC Group, concluded, 'The successful completion of this investment marks an important step in WIOCC Group's evolution, enhancing the Group's financial strength and enabling the management team to strengthen our market position, accelerate growth, enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of customers across Africa, and generate long-term value for investors and stakeholders.' The 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 WIOCC Group's established digital footprint and extensive client relationships. Together, AFC, Vision Invest and WIOCC aim to contribute to accelerating the development of Africa's digital ecosystem and supporting the continent's growing role in the rapidly evolving global digital economy. 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. Media Contacts Greg Sellars, Director Global Brand & Communications, WIOCC Yewande Thorpe Communications, Africa Finance Corporation Mobile: +234 1 279 9654 Suha Matar, VP Corporate Communications, Vision Invest Email: [email protected]