US agency to invest $155 million in African digital infrastructure firm WIOCC
By Duncan Miriri
NAIROBI, Sept 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation said on Wednesday it would invest up to $155 million in African digital infrastructure provider WIOCC, underscoring Washington's support for projects seen as critical to the expansion of U.S. technology companies.
Washington has increasingly backed telecommunications and digital infrastructure projects in Africa as it seeks to provide alternatives to Chinese technology providers like Huawei, including through a $100 million loan to U.S.-owned telecoms operator Africell.
"President Trump and DFC are committed to winning the AI race for America," said the agency's CEO, Ben Black.
Digital infrastructure such as data centres and fibre networks underpins the deployment of AI services, and the DFC sees expanding that foundation in Africa as central to U.S. competitiveness.
"DFC's largest ever equity investment of up to $155 million will help build the next generation of digital infrastructure for Africa's growth on trusted networks that support American companies looking to expand in one of the world's most dynamic markets," Black said.
DFC will provide the equity investment alongside Vision Invest and the African Finance Corporation, it said.
Johannesburg-headquartered WIOCC operates undersea cables, fibre networks and data centres in more than 30 African countries, and the investment will help it to "strengthen critical digital infrastructure across Africa," DFC said.
"This investment aligns with U.S. strategic interests in supporting U.S. hyperscalers and the American technology ecosystem," said the DFC.
WIOCC was the preferred partner for U.S. technology companies expanding in Africa, the agency added.
The group operates an open-access and carrier-neutral platform that provides wholesale connectivity and other services.
Trump's administration launched a "clean network" initiative in his first term, aimed at reducing the use of Chinese telecoms technology, apps and carriers from infrastructure in the U.S. and allied nations, and has continued similar efforts during his second term.
He signed an executive order last year requiring U.S. agencies to promote the use of U.S. technology abroad in artificial intelligence as well as data centre storage, cloud services and networking.
Recent U.S. investments in data centres in Africa include an $80 million facility in Kenya by U.S. firm Digital Realty and its Kenyan brand Icolo, which was announced this month.