Funke Opeke, the founder of MainOne, has stepped down as Managing Director for West Africa following the company’s recent integration into Equinix. Established in 2008, MainOne quickly became a prominent player in internet connectivity across West Africa. Opeke’s leadership was crucial to its success, especially since 2010, when MainOne landed the first private submarine cable on Africa’s west coast, providing essential infrastructure that helped foster the Nigerian tech ecosystem.
Following Equinix’s $320 million acquisition of MainOne in April 2022, Opeke served as MD for West Africa. However, her role will now shift to a strategic advisory position until March 2026, enabling her to guide the company’s regional strategy.
Wole Abu, previously CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria, will take over as MainOne’s new MD for West Africa. Abu brings significant industry experience, having led roles at Pan African Towers and Airtel Nigeria. His leadership will focus on expanding MainOne’s internet service and data center presence. Equinix, which now controls MainOne’s data centers, plans to roll out three new centers and expand its fiber capacity in the region.
Opeke’s impact on West Africa’s tech landscape has been profound. MainOne’s initiatives, including its pioneering 27-kilometer fiber-optic network in Yaba, Lagos (Nigeria’s “Silicon Valley”), were instrumental in supporting startups like Andela, CcHUB, and Flutterwave. Her legacy continues as she helps MainOne transition into its next phase under Equinix’s global infrastructure strategy.