Opeke exits MainOne after Equinix’s $320m buyout

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Funke Opeke, has stepped down following Equinix’s $320m acquisition of the Nigerian internet connectivity giant, a deal initially announced in 2022.

Opeke’s departure marks the end of a 14-year tenure during which she led MainOne’s transformation into a key player in West Africa’s digital infrastructure landscape.

With Opeke’s exit, Equinix, a global digital infrastructure company, plans to build on MainOne’s foundations, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

The company has now appointed a new Managing Director for West Africa, Wole Abu, who will oversee Equinix’s operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The company said Abu will work closely with both local and multinational clients to extend Equinix’s services in the region, focusing on expanding connectivity and digital infrastructure to support West Africa’s growing demand for digital solutions.

“Wole is a seasoned professional with over 20 years’ experience in the Nigerian telecoms industry.
He joins Equinix from Liquid Intelligent Technologies, where he held the position of CEO for the Nigeria and Africa Data Centre.
“As well as driving business success, Wole is passionate about driving societal and social change through technology and is focused on driving a successful strategy for connectivity and digital access in West Africa,” the statement highlighted.

The Managing Director for West Africa at Equinix, Wole Abu, said, “I’m excited to be joining Equinix, as we share a common vision for expanding digital infrastructure across Africa. This mission is crucial for bringing life-enhancing services to the region and bridging the digital divide.

“By empowering both enterprises and individuals, we’re enabling broader participation in the global digital economy. I’m eager to contribute to this transformative work and help create a more connected, accessible digital landscape throughout Africa.”

The Vice President for Growth and Emerging Markets at Equinix,  Judith Gardiner, said, “We are delighted to have Wole join Equinix as the leader driving our operations in West Africa. With his expertise, we will support local businesses and multinational companies in expanding into Africa and beyond through Equinix.

“This marks a significant milestone for Equinix as we continue to develop our presence in Africa, establishing crucial strategic data hubs, accelerating digital technology development, supporting our customers, and contributing to the continent’s immense growth potential through robust digital infrastructure.”