Ogi Secures £45 Million Funding from Cardiff Capital Region to Accelerate Digital Connectivity in Wales

We are proud to highlight that Ogi, a valued member of FinTech Wales and Wales’ largest alternative telecommunications provider, has secured a significant £45 million funding deal with the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR). This funding, along with a new multi-million-pound equity injection from Ogi’s majority shareholder, Infracapital, will fuel the company’s ambitious growth plans across South Wales.

Expanding the Reach of Full Fibre Networks

The funding will be instrumental in extending Ogi’s full fibre network across the ten local authority areas that make up the CCR—Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen, and the Vale of Glamorgan. This investment is part of CCR’s nearly fully invested £1.2 billion City Deal, marking the largest loan provided by the region to date.

Ogi’s full fibre network is already playing a pivotal role in enhancing digital infrastructure across Wales, particularly along the South Wales trunk road network into England. This network is designed to meet the growing demands for cloud computing, AI, and data storage, increasing Wales’ appeal to data centre operators, mobile carriers, and hyperscalers.

A Milestone in Welsh Digital Infrastructure

Ogi was launched in 2021 after securing its first round of investment from Infracapital, the infrastructure equity investment arm of M&G plc. Since then, Ogi has been a game-changer in the Welsh telecom sector, bringing full fibre connectivity, telephony, and business IT services to underserved communities. To date, the company has built a new fibre-to-the-premise network that serves over 100,000 premises in South Wales, with 1 in 5 already signed up as customers.

Each community that Ogi serves benefits from a capital injection of approximately £5 million, with the long-term economic impact estimated to generate almost £5 for every £1 invested. This underscores the transformative effect of Ogi’s expansion on the local economy.

Leadership and Vision

Ogi’s CEO, Ben Allwright, expressed his pride in the company’s accomplishments and its mission to ensure that no Welsh community is left behind in the digital age. He highlighted the strategic importance of CCR in Ogi’s growth, noting that the partnership is a logical step forward as the company continues to expand in Southeast Wales.

Commitment to Welsh Communities

Chair of the CCR, Councillor Mary Ann Brocklesby, commended Ogi’s efforts, stating, “Ogi has taken regeneration to a new level with its initial investment – connecting communities to new possibilities right across the Cardiff Capital Region and beyond. Our investment into Ogi recognizes that ongoing commitment to boosting the region, and the work already being done to bring vital connectivity to some of Wales’s biggest towns and villages.”

With this substantial investment and ongoing projects in other regions like Pembrokeshire, Ogi is well-positioned to continue its mission of enhancing Wales’ digital infrastructure, ensuring that the country remains competitive in the global digital economy.

For more details on Ogi’s funding and future plans, read the full story on Business Live here.