West Africa’s wholesale and enterprise connectivity and data center services telecommunication company, the Nigerian founded MainOne, is ten years old, but for Covid-19 restrictions would have rolled out loud drums in celebration of what many see as pioneering indigenous achievements.
When it began operations ten years ago, it did so with the commissioning of the first private submarine cable on the West Coast of Africa.
Since then MainOne has played a critical role in enabling internet access across West Africa where penetration rates have grown from less than 10 per cent in 2010 to close to 40 per cent today.
The company has in the last 10 years invested over $400 million in infrastructure in West Africa as part of its efforts to bridge the digital divide and enable the digital economy.
The investments include submarine cables, terrestrial fiber networks, and Points of Presence (POPs) across the region.
Within this period, the company has delivered services to 10 West African countries and has built Tier III data centers in Nigeria, Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire hosting the largest institutions and global content in the region, with on-going expansions of its data center footprint in Nigeria and Ghana.
These investments and contributions to the economy have led the company to numerous awards on both local and global stages
Prominent of these awards are the Datacloud Africa Award for Excellence in Data Center (Africa) and Africa Cloud Service Provider of the Year, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Impact Award, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Award for Excellence in Broadband Infrastructure and NTITA Telecoms Wholesale Provider of the Year.
Others include Frost & Sullivan Best Practices winner for the Nigerian Data Center Customer Value Leadership Award, Ghana Telecoms Awards: Telecom Wholesale Carrier of the Year and Nigerian Telecoms Awards: Broadband Company of the Year, among others.
Reflecting on 10 years in business, Funke Opeke, Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, said MainOne started on its journey to deploy critical infrastructure to bridge the digital divide in West Africa.
She said: “While we are pleased that we have made an impact, there is so much more work to be done. The recent challenges we have faced with COVID-19 Pandemic highlight the need for additional investment and smarter policies to deploy shared infrastructure required to make access to broadband a reality for more Africans at a price they can afford.
“MainOne has been leading that charge across West Africa for ten years and we are even more committed to realizing our vision today than we were 10 years ago.
While it is an accomplishment for any company to reach the 10-year milestone, it is particularly significant for us as we hold on to our vision which is to be West Africa’s communication solutions provider of choice.
“Through the commitment of our shareholders, hard work and dedication of our employees, and collaboration with partners, we have been able to deliver services that balance innovative solutions with excellent service delivery.”
She went on to appreciate the company’s valued customers for the opportunity to be of service as she extended gratitude to MainOne’s board members and shareholders for their faith in the company.
“Many thanks also to our devoted employees and partners who have enabled us to grow and thrive. We are confident that we will witness continued growth over the next ten years as we continue to provide excellent services to our clients and enable businesses and the digital economy across the region,” Opeke concluded.
When applause travels faster than hunger