WIOCC Group, one of Africa’s largest open-access digital infrastructure providers, has secured $65 million in sustainability-linked debt to expand its network and data centre footprint, as demand for high-speed connectivity across the continent surges.
The facility, arranged by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Proparco, Emerging Africa Infrastructure and Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), and asset manager Ninety-One, signals continued confidence from development finance institutions in WIOCC’s growth strategy.
The funding comes at a time when Africa’s digital economy is undergoing rapid transformation. According to industry analysts, the continent’s data traffic is expected to grow by more than 25% annually over the next five years, driven by cloud adoption, mobile broadband expansion, and regional digital services. WIOCC, with investments exceeding $750 million since 2008, is positioning itself to capitalise on this growth by linking open-access data centres and building a pan-African hyperscale network.
Chris Wood, WIOCC’s chief executive, said the capital would strengthen the company’s infrastructure, expand its data centre footprint, and enhance network resilience. “This financing is a key step in delivering the scalable, open-access networks that Africa needs for inclusive economic growth,” he said.
Analysts note that the deal highlights the increasing role of blended finance in Africa’s digital infrastructure sector, where development finance partners are mitigating risk and attracting private capital into high-capex projects. By structuring the debt as sustainability-linked, WIOCC aligns infrastructure expansion with ESG objectives, potentially improving long-term financing terms and investor appeal.
IFC and Proparco emphasised that the financing would accelerate network deployment in underserved markets, improve reliability, and support small businesses and entrepreneurs participating in Africa’s digital economy. The move positions WIOCC as a key enabler of Africa’s digital transformation, while also setting a benchmark for other infrastructure players seeking to mobilise blended finance at scale.
