The Managing Director of MainOne for West Africa, Funke Opeke, has stepped down from her position following the completion of the post-acquisition integration with Equinix. Opeke, who founded MainOne in 2008, will now take on a strategic advisory role for the West African region until March 2026, as reported by sources familiar with the matter.
Wole Abu, currently the CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria, is set to replace Opeke, according to insiders. Abu brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously held leadership positions at Pan African Towers and Airtel Nigeria.
Abu’s focus as the new Managing Director will be on expanding MainOne’s internet service provision and data center business, as per one of the sources. Equinix has plans to launch three major data center projects and increase its fiber capacity, with MainOne, now under Equinix, maintaining its brand identity. Equinix has taken full control of the two data centers in Lagos previously operated by MainOne.
This leadership transition signals a fresh start for MainOne, a key player in Nigeria’s internet connectivity landscape servicing major banks and telecommunication companies. The acquisition of MainOne by Equinix in April 2022 marked a significant milestone in Africa’s tech industry.
Funke Opeke was appointed as MainOne’s Managing Director for West Africa after Equinix’s acquisition of the company. She played a pivotal role in MainOne’s growth, notably overseeing the laying of a 27-kilometer fiber optic cable in Lagos, which contributed to the development of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem.