The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has announced an investment of up to $155 million in WIOCC, an African digital infrastructure company, in a move that reinforces Washington's support for expanding connectivity and digital technologies across the continent.
According to Reuters, the transaction — which the DFC describes as the largest equity investment in its history — is expected to support the development of next-generation digital infrastructure in Africa, including fibre-optic networks, data centres, and connectivity systems.
The deal will be executed in partnership with investment firm Vision Invest and the African Finance Corporation (AFC). Headquartered in Johannesburg, WIOCC operates submarine cables, fibre-optic networks, and data centres across more than 30 African countries through an open-access, operator-neutral platform.
The DFC said the financing will enable WIOCC to strengthen digital infrastructure considered strategic to African economic growth, while also supporting US companies seeking to expand their presence on the continent.
"This investment is aligned with US strategic interests in supporting American hyperscalers and the American technology ecosystem," the DFC stated.
The announcement forms part of a broader Washington strategy to back telecommunications and digital infrastructure projects in Africa, against a backdrop of intensifying technological competition with China and companies such as Huawei.
"Trump and the DFC are committed to winning the Artificial Intelligence race for America," said Ben Black, DFC's chief executive, adding that digital infrastructure forms the foundation for the expansion of AI services.
The DFC views WIOCC as a preferred partner for US technology companies seeking to scale their operations in Africa. The group provides wholesale connectivity services and other solutions through its continental network.
The investment in WIOCC follows other recent US initiatives in the sector. This month, Digital Realty and its Kenyan brand Icolo announced an $80 million investment in a data centre in Kenya.
The US push comes after Washington reinforced policies aimed at promoting American technologies abroad, including in the areas of artificial intelligence, data centres, cloud computing services, and telecommunications networks.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/09/17/mundo/africa/africa-dfc-anuncia-investimento-de-155-m-em-infra-estruturas-digitais/
