The US International Development Finance Corporation said on Wednesday it would invest up to $155-million in African digital infrastructure provider WIOCC, underscoring Washington's support for projects seen as critical to the expansion of US technology companies.

Washington has increasingly backed telecommunications and digital infrastructure projects in Africa as it seeks to provide alternatives to Chinese technology providers like Huawei, including through a $100-million loan to US-owned telecoms operator Africell.

"President Trump and DFC are committed to winning the AI race for America," said the agency's CEO, Ben Black. 

Digital infrastructure such as data centres and fibre networks underpins the deployment of AI services, and the DFC sees expanding that foundation in Africa as central to US competitiveness.

"DFC's largest ever equity investment of up to $155-million will help build the next generation of digital infrastructure for Africa's growth on trusted networks that support American companies looking to expand in one of the world's most dynamic markets," Black said.

DFC will provide the equity investment alongside Vision Invest and the African Finance Corporation, it said.

Johannesburg-headquartered WIOCC operates undersea cables, fibre networks and data centres in more than 30 African countries, and the investment will help it to "strengthen critical digital infrastructure across Africa," DFC said.

"This investment aligns with US strategic interests in supporting US hyperscalers and the American technology ecosystem," said the DFC. 

WIOCC was the preferred partner for US technology companies expanding in Africa, the agency added. 

The group operates an open-access and carrier-neutral platform that provides wholesale connectivity and other services.

Trump's administration launched a "clean network" initiative in his first term, aimed at reducing the use of Chinese telecoms technology, apps and carriers from infrastructure in the US and allied nations, and has continued similar efforts during his second term.

He signed an executive order last year requiring US agencies to promote the use of US technology abroad in artificial intelligence as well as data centre storage, cloud services and networking.

Recent US investments in data centres in Africa include an $80-million facility in Kenya by US firm Digital Realty and its Kenyan brand Icolo, which was announced this month.