Qatari Ooredoo’s $1bn digital push set to transform Africa’s igaming sector
Telecoms company rolling out AI-ready data centres, 5G networks and fintech services to boost gaming across Africa.
Algeria.- Ooredoo, the Qatari telecommunications giant, is investing more than $1bn in AI-ready data centres, fintech platforms and next-generation 5G networks, a move set to transform Africa’s gaming and igaming landscape.
The company’s digital upgrades provide the high-speed, low-latency infrastructure that cloud gaming, live betting and instant digital payments require, positioning Ooredoo as a key enabler of Africa’s next-generation gaming ecosystem.
At the heart of this strategy is Syntys, Ooredoo’s new data centre spin-off. Backed by a $1bn investment and QAR2bn ($549m) in financing from Qatari banks, Syntys is scaling up to 120 MW of AI-ready capacity, operating a hyperscale data centre capable of supporting high-speed cloud gaming and real-time betting.
With a footprint across Algeria, Tunisia, other African markets, and key regions in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, Ooredoo has the scale to deliver seamless services across continents.
A TechAfrica News report stated: “The company is accelerating its transformation into a multi-asset digital leader, expanding its reach through initiatives in AI, data centres, subsea connectivity and fintech services.” For igaming operators, this infrastructure enables faster cloud servers supporting live-dealer streams and AI-powered odds modelling.
Ooredoo Group CEO Aziz Fakhroo said: “As part of our strategy, we’re building a future-proof business by investing in five strategic verticals: telecom operations, towers, data centres, subsea cables and fintech.”
Superfast networks power Africa’s igaming
Connectivity is another key focus. Ooredoo’s “Fibre in the Gulf” (FIG) subsea cable project, with 720 Tbps capacity, strengthens Gulf connections and extends digital benefits to North Africa, creating new corridors linking Africa, Asia and Europe. Ooredoo is also rolling out 5G Standalone and 5G-Advanced networks with edge computing and network slicing, ideal for instant betting payments, in-play wagering and smooth mobile gaming experiences.
While specific data centres are in Algeria and Tunisia, the subsea cables and 5G expansions extend benefits to other African countries by improving cross-border digital connectivity.
Fintech is the third pillar of Ooredoo’s expansion. Through Ooredoo Financial Technology International (OFTI), the company is rolling out digital wallets like Walletii to new markets. Already live in Qatar, Oman and the Maldives, Ooredoo is expanding into Tunisia and other African countries, helping solve one of igaming’s biggest challenges: reliable, instant payment rails.
Ooredoo also has the financial strength to support these ambitions. In the first quarter of 2025, the Group reported QAR5.8bn ($1.59bn in revenue), QAR960m ($263m) in net profit (up 5 per cent year-on-year) and a 41 per cent increase in capital expenditure to QAR538m ($147m), reflecting its commitment to scaling digital infrastructure.
