Funke Opeke
Technology & Infrastructure Leader | Founder, MainOne
(Acquired by Equinix - 2022)
A globally experienced technology and infrastructure executive, entrepreneur and board leader with more than four decades of experience across the United States and Africa.
About Funke
“Building transformative infrastructure requires equal measures of vision, tenacity and institutional trust.”
Funke Opeke is a globally experienced technology and infrastructure executive, entrepreneur and board leader with more than three decades of experience across the United States and Africa.
She combines deep expertise in telecommunications and digital infrastructure with a strong track record of building businesses, raising institutional capital, navigating complex regulatory environments and leading large-scale transformation in Africa.
Funke is the Founder of MainOne, the pioneering West African digital infrastructure company she established in 2008. She led the company from inception through the development and financing of West Africa’s first privately owned, open-access submarine cable system, connecting the region to Europe. Under her leadership, MainOne expanded into terrestrial fibre networks, data centres and enterprise connectivity across multiple African markets. The company was acquired by Equinix, the global digital infrastructure company, in 2022 in a transaction valued at approximately $320 million.
Prior to founding MainOne, Funke spent approximately 20 years in the United States telecommunications industry, including Verizon Communications, where she served as Executive Director in its Wholesale Division. She subsequently returned to Nigeria as Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria, advised Transcorp on the acquisition of NITEL and served briefly as NITEL’s Chief Operating Officer.
Funke is a national and regional technology policy advocate. She chaired the committee responsible for developing Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan 2020–2025, helping shape the country’s strategy for expanding broadband access and digital infrastructure.
She currently serves as a Trustee of the Shell Foundation and Chairperson of the Board of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB), Africa’s leading innovation and technology hub. She is also a 2026 Fellow of Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative.
Building MainOne
A pioneering company built to reshape West Africa’s connection to the world.2022
A landmark transition
Equinix acquires MainOne at an enterprise value of approximately $320 million.Becoming a regional platform
2018 - 2021
Expansion into Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, Internet Exchange, cloud and managed services, and MDXi’s expansion into Accra.From connectivity to digital infrastructure
2015
MDXi launches in Lagos alongside IaaS cloud services; the network also extends to Cameroon.Building beyond the cable
Metro fibre and colocation services launch in Lagos and Accra.2012
Network expansion begins
ISP and Metro Fibre licences secured in Nigeria; IP/NGN network deployment begins. This marks the beginning of MainOne expanding beyond the submarine cable into terrestrial infrastructure.2011
Connecting West Africa to the world
MainOne’s submarine cable goes live, connecting Nigeria and Ghana to Portugal.2010
The idea becomes MainOne
Founded to build West Africa’s first private, open-access submarine cable.2008
Boardroom Governance
TRUSTEEShell Foundation, London
June 2023 – PresentCHAIRPERSONChairperson, Co-Creation Hub Innovation Center, Lagos
May 2023 - PresentDIRECTORDirector, Atlas Mara, LSE Listed Pan-African Financial Services Holding Company, Dubai
2015 – 2018Advisory Board Member, Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), Lagos
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERJan 2010 – PresentMAINONE BOARDSBoard Member of Main Street Technologies Nigeria and all MainOne Company Boards in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Portugal
2009 – 2025Recognition and Awards
A record of contribution to technology, business leadership and digital infrastructure.2023
TMT Leadership Award EMEA
An industry recognition from TMT Finance, which recognises outstanding leadership and achievement across the telecommunications, media and technology (TMT) sectors in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The awards recognise leading executives, investors, advisers and organisations shaping the region’s digital infrastructure and technology landscape.
2022
Member of the Order of the Niger (MON)
A Nigerian national honour recognising distinguished contributions to the nation and public life. The Order of the Niger is one of Nigeria’s national orders, with the MON rank conferred on individuals recognised for notable service and contributions to national development.
2018
Forbes — World’s Top 50 Women in Tech
An annual Forbes recognition highlighting 50 leading women in technology, selected for their leadership, achievements, influence and contributions to the technology and STEM sectors.
2018
Data Centre Dynamics — Business Leader of the Year
Recognises the individual or organisation that has made the strongest contribution over the preceding year to raising the profile and advancing the data centre industry among key stakeholders, including investors, financiers, operators, owners, the media and government. The award is part of the annual DCD Awards, which recognise leading achievements and individuals across the global data centre industry.
2014
Harvard University Veritas Award for Excellence in Information and Communication Technology
A Veritas Award honouring outstanding achievement and excellence in the information and communication technology sector, recognising individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of ICT and its impact on society.
2012
CNBC Africa — All Africa Businesswoman of the Year — 2012
Part of the All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA), an annual platform created by CNBC Africa and ABN Productions to recognise business leaders across the continent who are driving entrepreneurship, developing best practices and building sustainable businesses that contribute to Africa’s economic development. The Businesswoman of the Year category specifically honours an outstanding female business leader.
Career & Education
Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow
Harvard University
Principal, MST Advisors — Lagos, Nigeria and Princeton, New Jersey, USA
MST Advisors
Founder, Managing Director, MainOne — Lagos, Nigeria
MainOne
Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director, NITEL — Abuja, Nigeria
NITEL
Chief Technical Officer, MTN Nigeria — Lagos, Nigeria
MTN Nigeria
Executive Director, Verizon Communications — New York, United States
Verizon Communication
Vice President, Sendmail Inc. — Emeryville, California, United States
Sendmail Inc.
Executive Director, Telcordia Technologies (now iconectiv) — Piscataway, New Jersey, United States
Telcordia Technologies
Manager, Principal, Senior Consultant, Consultant, PA Consulting Group — Hightstown, New Jersey, United States
PA Consulting Group
MSc Electrical Engineering, Columbia University
Columbia University
Obafemi Awolowo University
BSc Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Obafemi Awolowo University (formerly University of Ife)
Selected Coverage & Interviews
Get in Touch
For executive, board, advisory, infrastructure, technology and strategic opportunities.