Tesh Durvasula, CEO of Africa Data Centres, discussed the company’s Pan-African Interconnection partnership, which aims to explore opportunities and create value for local network communities, LINX membership, and data centre facilities throughout Africa.
Recent research conducted by Accenture on the ICT ecosystem revealed that Africa is on the verge of a technological explosion, with certain countries showing rapid growth. By 2050, the internet-powered share of the economy (iGDP) in countries like Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa is projected to reach approximately 6%, similar to the current level in the United States. Other countries, such as Ghana, are expected to achieve an iGDP of 4% to 5%, comparable to Brazil’s current level.
Data centres serve as the foundation for economic growth on the continent, enabling the development of sustainable and self-sufficient ICT ecosystems. Recognizing this, Africa Data Centres announced in September 2021 the largest expansion plans ever seen in Africa, with a $500 million investment in new hyperscale data centres across the continent.
According to Durvasula, constructing new facilities is crucial for meeting the increasing demand for storage and networking, which are vital for digitizing Africa and providing digital services to its citizens.
Africa Data Centres is currently the largest network of interconnected, carrier- and cloud-neutral data centre facilities in Africa, operating nine facilities in six countries. As a market leader, the organization regularly announces new builds in existing markets and plans for facilities in under-serviced or unserved markets. LINX, known for delivering redundant and resilient interconnection solutions at its global Internet Exchange Points (IXPs), is an expert in its field.
Durvasula emphasizes that the new partnership between Africa Data Centres and LINX holds great potential for enhancing connectivity and digital services in emerging markets across Africa.
Nurani Nimpuno, Head of Global Engagement at LINX, expresses excitement about working with Africa Data Centres to expand into new African markets. Being the continent’s largest hub of interconnected facilities, Africa Data Centres is the ideal partner to meet the predicted growth and demand in the ICT sector, opening up fantastic opportunities for countries across Africa and making digital services a reality for millions of citizens.
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