WIOCC Group, an African carrier-neutral digital infrastructure platform, announced at the LEAP 2026 in Riyadh that it has signed a Shareholder Subscription Agreement with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and Vision International Investment Company (Vision Invest) for a combined investment of US$ 300 million.
The investment will support WIOCC Group’s efforts to build and operate open-access critical infrastructure. The company said in a press release that together with AFC and Vision Invest, it will be able to accelerate the development of Africa’s digital ecosystem and support the continent’s growing role in the rapidly evolving global digital economy.
“Africa is uniquely positioned to capitalize 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,” said Chris Wood, WIOCC Group Chief Executive Officer.
According to Wood, the investment will be used to accelerate data center deployment and consolidation, expand the continent’s terrestrial fiber footprint, and fund new subsea cable assets.
“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,” added Samaila Zubairu, AFC President and Chief Executive Officer.
“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,” said Omar N. Al-Midani, Vision Invest President and Chief Executive Officer.
Africa is home to the youngest population in the world, but in 2025, only 36 percent of the continent had used the internet, according to the International Telecommunication Union. By comparison the global average is 74 percent, highlighting the need for greater investment into digital infrastructure.
That is starting to shift, with Mordor Intelligence reporting that a surge in data center investments is being backed by demand for sovereign hosting, new subsea cable builds, and the rollout of 5G across the continent.