2021-2022 was a period of monumental change for the African data centre industry , and the continent ’ s cloud landscape .

Largely fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the digital transformation drives of Africa ’ s companies , there has been an unprecedented surge in investments in data centres , with many of the sector ’ s global leaders stepping into the region for the very first time .

Microsoft announces plans to open South African data centres

In 2017 , Microsoft announced its first major venture into the African market . It revealed that it would be opening new cloud regions in Cape Town and Johannesburg ( sites which then opened in 2019 ).

Vantage breaks record with new hyperscale site

Vantage Data Centres made its mark on the African data centre market in 2021 , after starting construction on its new hyperscale campus in Midrand . This 80MW campus consisting of three facilities across 12 hectares , represents a $ 1.01bn investment . Once complete , it is set to be the largest on the continent .

Google ’ s Equiano cable is launched

Google ’ s state-of-the-art , 144 tbps , 12 fibre pair Equiano cable was landed by WIOCC in Lagos , Nigeria on the 8th of August . This will be a key facilitator in the growth of the market , improving connectivity across the region , driving faster internet speeds , reducing internet prices and improving user experience across the board .

12 February 2023