Nigeria's Chams Launches AI Subsidiary in Tech Expansion

One of Nigeria's pioneering technology companies just took a major leap toward the future of African innovation.

Chams Holding Company, a familiar name in Nigerian tech circles for over two decades, announced the creation of ChamsCorp, a new subsidiary focused on artificial intelligence infrastructure and data centre development. The move signals a strategic shift from the company's roots in payments and identity systems to the foundational technology powering tomorrow's digital economy.

ChamsCorp will design and operate data centres, build AI infrastructure, and manufacture digital devices. The company filed regulatory documents on Monday outlining its ambitious new direction.

The timing couldn't be better. Nigeria's data centre market is projected to reach $782 million by 2031, according to global market intelligence firm Mordor Intelligence. As businesses across Africa demand more computing power and storage, Chams is positioning itself to provide the backbone these services need.

Leading the charge is Olufemi Oyenuga, a data analytics specialist with experience across healthcare, telecommunications, and manufacturing. He took the helm on February 1, 2026, bringing expertise that spans multiple industries increasingly dependent on AI and data infrastructure.

Last August, Chams announced plans to raise $5.52 million for strategic projects. While the company hasn't disclosed how much it's investing in ChamsCorp specifically, the move represents a clear commitment to expanding beyond its traditional business.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just a corporate expansion story. It's about building the infrastructure that enables everything else to happen.

When African companies build their own AI infrastructure and data centres, they create jobs, keep data sovereign, and reduce dependence on foreign technology. They also make digital services faster and more affordable for businesses and consumers across the continent.

Chams now operates five subsidiaries serving different parts of Nigeria's digital ecosystem, from payment switches to mobile services. By adding AI and data centre capabilities, the company is helping ensure Nigeria doesn't just consume technology but builds the infrastructure that powers it.

For a company that started in an era when digital payments were novel, this evolution shows how African tech firms are maturing. They're moving from service providers to infrastructure builders, laying groundwork for innovations we haven't even imagined yet.

Nigeria's digital future just got a little brighter, and it's being built by homegrown expertise.