Funke Opeke, Nigerian engineer and founder of MainOne, is transforming West Africa’s internet connectivity through innovative digital infrastructure and leadership.
Born in Ibadan, Opeke’s journey began with a strong academic foundation. She studied electrical engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly the University of Ifẹ̀) before advancing her education at Columbia University in the United States.
Her early career spanned nearly two decades in the U.S. telecommunications sector, including a senior role at Verizon Communications. This experience equipped her with deep technical and operational expertise in network infrastructure, knowledge she would later deploy to transform Africa’s digital landscape.
In 2005, Opeke returned to Nigeria to serve as Chief Technical Officer at MTN Nigeria. It was during this period that she identified a critical bottleneck: poor and expensive internet connectivity caused by limited bandwidth infrastructure. Rather than accept the status quo, she chose to build a solution.
Building MainOne: A $240 Million Vision
In 2008, Opeke founded MainOne with a bold objective: to deliver high-capacity, affordable broadband connectivity to West Africa. The result was a landmark infrastructure project: a 7,000-kilometre submarine cable system linking West Africa to Europe.
The cable runs from Portugal and connects key African cities, including Lagos, Accra, Dakar, and Abidjan. Completed in 2010, it became West Africa’s first privately owned, open-access undersea cable of its scale.
This infrastructure dramatically reduced the cost of internet access while significantly increasing speed and reliability, unlocking opportunities for businesses, startups, and entire economies.
Beyond the cable system, MainOne expanded into data infrastructure. In 2015, the company launched one of Nigeria’s largest Tier III data centres in Lagos, strengthening the region’s capacity for cloud services, data storage, and enterprise connectivity.
By providing reliable digital infrastructure, Opeke’s work has enabled the rise of Africa’s tech ecosystem. Companies like CcHub and Andela have benefited from the improved connectivity, helping scale innovation across the continent.
Overcoming Barriers to Build at Scale
Building MainOne was not without challenges. Opeke invested her own savings, navigated complex regulatory environments across multiple countries, and secured financing from institutions such as the African Development Bank.
Her approach was not about inventing entirely new technologies, but about innovating systems, processes, and deployment strategies to fit African realities. This pragmatic innovation model allowed her to deliver large-scale infrastructure in a challenging environment.
In 2022, MainOne was acquired by Equinix in a $320 million deal. The acquisition positioned the company within a global digital ecosystem, ensuring long-term scalability and integration with international networks.
For Opeke, this was a strategic evolution, one that secures the future of the infrastructure she built while expanding its global relevance.
Powering West Africa’s Digital Economy
Today, Funke Opeke’s impact spans multiple sectors, driving faster and more affordable internet access, fueling the growth of tech startups and digital services, creating jobs across telecommunications and related industries, and strengthening regional connectivity and trade across West Africa.
Her work has effectively laid the foundation for West Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.
Funke Opeke is not just building infrastructure; she is enabling transformation. By addressing one of the continent’s most critical gaps, she has created a platform for innovation, economic growth, and opportunity.
Her journey reflects a broader lesson: Africa’s future will be shaped not only by new technologies but by bold leaders who can adapt, deploy, and scale solutions that meet the continent’s unique needs.
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