What 21st Century Technologies does

21st Century Technologies is a Nigerian private digital infrastructure company founded in 1997 and headquartered in Lagos, operating a vertically integrated ecosystem spanning fiber, satellite, and microwave connectivity, five data centers across Lagos (Ikeja, Ikoyi, Apapa, Saka-Tinubu, Alanamu) anchored by a Tier IV facility in Lekki completed in 2021, edge computing and tower infrastructure, cloud services, managed cybersecurity, payment platforms (the Konet suite), and renewable power solutions. The company pioneered fiber and data center buildout in Nigeria starting in 2000 and states it controlled 85% of the country's wireline infrastructure by end-2003; it now operates fiber networks in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Ogun State and claims control of over 60% (some sources citing ~65%) of Nigeria's upcoming 2025-2029 data center power capacity pipeline alongside Digital Realty and Pembani Remgro.

The company serves Mobile Network Operators (MTN Nigeria, 9Mobile/Etisalat, Etisalat UAE, British Telecoms), financial institutions and the Central Bank of Nigeria, government and public-sector entities, large enterprises, and SMEs/consumers via the Konet payment and wallet platform. Revenue is generated through multi-year enterprise contracts for colocation and data center services, recurring connectivity and transmission subscriptions, managed services (cybersecurity, network, cloud), software and platform subscriptions (Konet, ServiceFabric), and hardware/professional services for power and training. In 2022 the business was restructured into three entities — 21st Century Digital Infrastructure Limited, 21st Century Technologies Limited, and Konetpay Nigeria Limited — and in June 2026 the company entered a partnership with China Mobile International to launch a sovereign cloud platform and AI-enabled digital infrastructure targeted at data sovereignty and enterprise migration from foreign-hosted environments. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales with strategic channel partnerships (PCCW, China Mobile International, Digital Realty, Facebook/Meta) and a B2B website/inquiry portal.

Name

21st Century Technologies

Legal name

21st Century Technologies Limited

Website

https://21ctl.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

21st Century Technologies is a Lagos-headquartered, privately held Nigerian digital infrastructure operator founded in 1997 that builds and runs fiber networks, five data centers (including a Tier IV facility), cloud, cybersecurity, payments (Konet), and renewable power for mobile operators, banks, government, and enterprises across Nigeria.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Infrastructure Services

NAICS

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)

SIC

Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)

akta.pro primary industry

Business/Enterprise Fixed Connectivity Providers (SME/Enterprise Broadband) (HDAIABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Network, Infrastructure & Data Center Integration (BPAEAAAK), Structural & Civil Engineering for Sites (Design, Reinforcement, Foundations) (HDAIAKAI)

Keywords

• Digital infrastructure services
• Data center colocation
• Fiber optic connectivity
• Managed cybersecurity services
• Telecommunications infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Data Center & Colocation Services: Colocation and hosting services across multiple Tier IV and edge data centers in Nigeria. Revenue is recurring, based on power capacity and space provisioned to enterprise customers including MNOs, banks, and ISPs.
2. Connectivity & Transmission Services: Fiber optic, satellite, microwave, and edge connectivity services provided to mobile network operators, corporates, and ISPs. Includes voice and data transmission services such as E1, VOIP, dark fiber, and point-to-point links.
3. Managed Services: Managed cybersecurity, cloud security, network management, and IT infrastructure services for enterprise customers.
4. Software & Platform Solutions: Proprietary software solutions including HR systems, CRM, call center software, cTap, billing automation (Konet), payment processing (Konet Pay, Konet Wallet), and automation services.
5. Digital Infrastructure & Tower Services: Telecom tower infrastructure and managed services enabling wireless connectivity. Revenue from tower co-location and managed services for MNOs.
6. Power & Energy Services: Renewable energy infrastructure, solar solutions, turbine power, and grid connection services powering digital infrastructure operations.
7. Training & Consulting: Training and consulting services in networks, transmission, cybersecurity, and digital skills, including the Digital Experts Academy for industry-ready talent development.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

21st Century Technologies builds and operates Africa's digital infrastructure (per the company's positioning), delivering fiber optic and satellite connectivity, Tier IV and edge data centers, 5G-ready tower infrastructure, cloud platforms, managed cybersecurity, payment processing, and renewable power infrastructure across Nigeria. The company serves mobile network operators, banks, government entities, and large enterprises through colocation, managed services, subscription-based connectivity, and proprietary platforms (ServiceFabric orchestration, Konet payment/wallet/KYC suite).

Product overview

21st Century Technologies is an ecosystem technology group operating as a multi-platform digital infrastructure provider with 25 years of experience. The company is organized into six interconnected divisions: Digital Infrastructure (connectivity, data centers, towers, and 5G readiness), Digital Platform (ServiceFabric orchestration, cloud solutions, payment processing, and automation), Power (renewable energy, turbine power, and grid connections), Payment through Konet (billing automation, wallet, pay, KYC, and workspace), People (Digital Experts Academy for training), and Security (managed cybersecurity, network security, and identity governance). Key products include five data centers across Nigeria (Ikeja, Ikoyi, Apapa, Saka-Tinubu, Alanamu), the Regional Network Gateway for global cloud connectivity, the Konet suite of financial services, and comprehensive cybersecurity services. The portfolio integrates cloud, connectivity, payment, automation, and security capabilities into a unified ecosystem serving enterprises across Nigeria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Konet: Billing automation, payment processing, wallet systems, KYC verification services, and integrated workspace with email and utility apps.
• Konet Pay
• Konet Wallet
• Konet KYC
• Konet Space
• Konet App
• Konet Mail
• ServiceFabric
• SmartBackup

Products and services

• Data Center Services Colocation and multi-tenant data center services across five facilities in Lagos (Ikeja, Ikoyi/Lekki, Apapa, Saka-Tinubu, Alanamu) with up to 10MW turbine power, redundant utility feeds, multiple carrier connectivity, and Tier IV reliability certification. Designed for MNOs, banks, ISPs, and enterprise clients needing local data hosting.
• Connectivity Services Fiber optic, satellite, microwave, and edge connectivity services for enterprises, MNOs, banks, and ISPs across Nigeria. Provides E1, VOIP, dark fiber, point-to-point links, broadband, and direct connectivity to major hyperscale cloud providers via the Regional Network Gateway.
• Tower and Edge Computing Services Tower and edge computing co-location infrastructure deployed across Nigeria for MNOs and enterprises, providing wireless connectivity, edge compute, and anchor-tenant capacity for mobile network expansion.
• 5G Readiness Infrastructure Infrastructure with edge computing capabilities designed to support fifth-generation technology standards, enabling new user experiences, deployment models, and services for MNOs and enterprises.
• Regional Network Gateway Nigeria Cloud on-ramp network gateway providing direct connectivity to major data centers around the globe, deployed in partnership with PCCW. Enables enterprises to interconnect with global hyperscale cloud providers.
• ServiceFabric Global inter-connectivity solution and orchestration platform that provides on-demand services for digital transformation and data-centric needs. Enables enterprises and service providers to interconnect and securely host critical infrastructure and data sets.
• Cloud Services Cloud infrastructure services with secure integration of private and public data sets, multi-tenant data center integration, and data-centric organization of cloud, core, and edge for enterprises, platforms, and connectivity providers.
• Managed Cybersecurity Services Comprehensive managed cybersecurity services including threat management, managed detection and response (MDR), managed cloud security, and managed firewall (SASE, Next-Generation, Stateful, Application), backed by a global network.
• SmartBackup Automated configuration backup solution for network devices that schedules automatic backups, monitors from dashboard, performs network configuration backup procedures, and provides device management for compliance.
• Identity Security (Biometrics and Governance) Identity governance and protection services including biometric authentication and identity governance for compliance with policies and regulations, monitoring and auditing access to systems and data.
• Konet Payment Platform Integrated Konet suite providing billing automation, payment processing (Konet Pay), mobile wallet (Konet Wallet), KYC verification services (Konet KYC), email (Konet Mail), and an integrated workspace (Konet Space). Enables online, mobile, and in-store payments with international transaction support.
• Konet Wallet Mobile money and financial management platform allowing users to manage finances, pay bills, and make transactions with instant payments, virtual cards, and bill management.
• Billing Automation (Konet) Automated invoicing and payment collection system enabling easy generation and sending of invoices, payment collection, and receipt issuance for businesses.
• Automation Services (RPA) Business automation solutions including process automation for repetitive tasks, workflow automation for internal communication and collaboration, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) using software robots.
• Software Development Services Custom development and deployment of business solutions including HR systems, CRM platforms, Call Centre Software, and cTap applications for enterprise operations.
• Power Infrastructure (Renewable Energy) Sustainable clean energy solutions for Africa including renewable energy, turbine power, grid connections, substations, and solar installations powering digital infrastructure operations.
• Training and Consulting Training and consulting services in networks, transmission, cybersecurity, and digital skills, including the Digital Experts Academy for industry-ready talent development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 283+ businesses supported across digital infrastructure platform
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• China Mobile InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 202621st Century Technologies partnered with China Mobile International to launch a sovereign cloud platform and AI-enabled digital infrastructure in Nigeria. The deal combines 21st Century Technologies' local infrastructure footprint with China Mobile International's technology expertise to accelerate cloud services development and support Nigeria's growing digital economy. The companies aim to strengthen local data hosting, enable data sovereignty enforcement, and encourage enterprises currently hosting data abroad to migrate to local infrastructure.
• PCCWcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 201721st Century Technologies partnered with PCCW to deploy a cloud on-ramp network gateway in Nigeria, enabling direct connectivity to major hyperscale cloud providers globally. The company also installed the first regional network gateway in Nigeria through this partnership to support global data center connectivity.
• Facebook (Meta)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 201721st Century Technologies entered into a strategic relationship with Facebook to deploy public Wi-Fi services, extending internet connectivity to Nigerian users through the company's digital infrastructure platform.
• Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Africa Finance Corporation served as anchor tenant for the Ikeja computing centre and tower developed by 21st Century Technologies, providing financial backing and operational anchoring for one of the company's key edge computing facilities.
• Digital Realty & Pembani RemgrocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner21st Century Technologies and Digital Realty & Pembani Remgro's Data Centres together account for about 65% of Nigeria's upcoming data center power capacity (2025-2029), forming the two dominant players in Nigeria's next wave of data center growth. Both are driving the next wave of growth in the Nigeria data center market.
• British TelecomscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Telecoms served as anchor tenant for the first data centre project completed by 21st Century Technologies in 2004 in Lekki, Lagos, validating the company's early data center capabilities.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rack Centre: Nigerian carrier-neutral colocation data center operator based in Lagos. Direct competitor for enterprise colocation and connectivity across the same Nigerian enterprise/government buyer base.
• Africa Data Centres: Pan-African colocation provider expanding into Nigeria. Directly comparable in Tier III/IV colocation, cloud connectivity, and enterprise data center services across African markets.
• WIOCC: Africa's largest carriers' carrier, operating submarine cables and terrestrial fiber across the continent. Comparable wholesale enterprise connectivity and backhaul services business.
• IHS Towers: One of the largest independent tower operators in Africa and Latin America, with substantial Nigerian footprint. Directly comparable tower and passive infrastructure business serving MNOs.
• MainOne (Equinix): West African data center and submarine/fiber operator with landing station in Lagos, now owned by Equinix. Directly comparable to 21st Century's enterprise fiber and colocation business serving Nigerian MNOs, banks, and enterprises.
• Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid Africa): African fiber network and data center operator offering wholesale connectivity and cloud services. Comparable on enterprise fiber backbone, DC colocation, and managed services across Africa.

Regional players

• SEACOM: Submarine cable operator with terrestrial fiber across Africa providing wholesale IP, cloud, and managed services. Comparable to 21st Century's fiber/cloud enterprises business, though more submarine-focused.
• Medallion Communications: Nigerian carrier-neutral interconnect and data center facility operator. Comparable Nigerian colocation and cross-connect services for enterprises and carriers.

Broad incumbents

• Helios Towers: Independent tower operator with significant presence across Africa. Comparable tower/edge site services model serving MNOs across multiple African markets.
• American Tower Corporation (ATC Africa): Global tower and digital infrastructure REIT with African operations including Nigeria. Comparable in tower infrastructure serving MNOs at scale, with much larger balance sheet and capital pool.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/21ctlcom
• Facebookfacebook.com/21ctl
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/21st-century-technologies_2

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 21st Century Technologies