Internet

CGI partners with top African data centres

Data Center With Multiple Rows of Fully Operational Server Racks

Cofinity Group, Inc. partners with leading African data centre providers, enhancing Africa's digital infrastructure and driving economic growth. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Cofinity Group, Inc. (CGI), a leader in the data center industry for over 15 years, announced strategic Channel Partnership Agreements with leading data center providers in Africa, including PAIX Data Centres, Rack Centre, Raxio, and Digital Realty

These agreements included Digital Realty’s African entities: iColo, Teraco, and Digital Realty Nigeria. Collectively, these data centre providers operated in markets that accounted for over 75% of Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP across 11 countries.

Collectively, these data center providers operate in markets that account for over 75% of Sub-Saharan Africa's GDP across 11 countries.

The accelerating pace of technology adoption and digitisation in Africa is driving the demand for highly secure data center facilities with exceptional levels of power availability, redundancy, and connectivity. "CGI is in a unique position to help enterprises secure and optimise their mission-critical applications in key African markets with experienced, trusted data center operators. We have had the privilege of working with the leading data center providers in Africa and we are confident that enterprises will benefit from our deep knowledge and streamlined commercial processes," said Ray Lawless, president of CGI.

“Cofinity Group’s initiative is further evidence of the surging demand in Africa for the services of data center companies. We welcome CGI’s role in bringing together key sectors, such as Fintech, with data center providers in Africa, continuing the transformation of Africa’s digital infrastructure and accelerating economic growth,” said Ayotunde Coker, chairman of the Africa Data Centres Association.

Enterprises opting for a colocation solution can secure their mission-critical operations in a cost-effective manner, benefiting from the data center’s robust infrastructure and connectivity, while also allowing for future growth with access to expansion space and increased power capacity. CGI’s extensive experience in various markets and close relationships with these data center operators provides a unique opportunity to assist enterprises looking to migrate to a quality colocation data center solution in Africa.

NBOX1: East Africa's premier hypercloud data Centre

Schneider Electric and IXAfrica launch East Africa’s largest hypercloud data center, ‘NBOX1’, with cutting-edge tech and sustainable design. (Image source: IXAfrica)

Schneider Electric, a leader in digital transformation for energy management and automation, has joined forces with Nairobi-based IXAfrica Data Centres to unveil East Africa’s largest and first hypercloud data centre

Known as ‘NBOX1,’ this Tier 3+ facility is now operational and offers a carrier-neutral, AI-ready environment. It stands as the most advanced digital infrastructure in East Africa for cloud, colocation, and connectivity, designed to attract hyperscale and internet customers with a user experience on par with North America and Western Europe.

Future-ready data centre

The NBOX1 launch is supported by Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure for Data Centres architecture, ensuring maximum resilience, uptime, cost efficiency, enhanced security, and alignment with IXAfrica’s sustainability goals.

The new data centre, backed by a US$50mn investment from leading firm Helios, is situated in Africa’s burgeoning technology hub, the ‘Digital Savannah,’ serving over 300 million people and fostering innovation with its skilled workforce and diverse services.

Snehar Shah, CEO of IXAfrica, remarked, “Kenya is a hypercloud-ready region with advanced cloud adoption propensities, a digitally savvy ecosystem, access to diverse internet fibre connectivity, high-availability and low-carbon sources of power. This all sits within a country offering a stable regulatory and political environment, and a strong economy forecast to grow 5.2% in 2024.”

To meet the critical requirement for dependable IT operations, IXAfrica selected Schneider Electric for their power train solution, including power protection and distribution equipment, transformers, MV and LV switchgear, and a basic BMS for monitoring. Schneider Electric collaborated with local consultants Prisma Techniques and ensured compliance with IEC standards and local grid requirements, considering Kenya’s unique environmental conditions.

Ifeanyi Odoh, Schneider Electric country president in East Africa, stated, “The solutions provided by Schneider Electric are engineered to support N+1 redundancy with four independent power trains, meeting IXAfrica’s immediate and long-term objectives, including design 1.25 PUE across the campus, as well as a 99.999% uptime guarantee.”

With renewable energy sources introducing variability, the integration of lithium-ion batteries with the Galaxy VX UPS addresses challenges associated with supply stability.

Designed as a ‘Data Centre of the Future,’ NBOX1 benefits from Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure for Data Centres, which enhances performance, resilience, and resource efficiency while supporting IXAfrica’s sustainability goals through energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions.

Mouna Essa Egh, secure power vice-president for Middle East & Africa, commented, “We believe that sustainable practices are essential for the future of data centres, and we are proud to partner with organizations like IXAfrica to create environmentally conscious and innovative digital habitats for the evolving technological landscape.”

“We have a very strategic relationship with Schneider Electric – in fact, our new Nairobi campus site is built on land formerly part of Schneider’s complex, and the power engineering for the site was designed by Schneider’s local partners. NBOX1 is sustainable by design, and our goal is to ‘Keep it Africa’ - our switchgear and panelware were all manufactured by Schneider Electric on our own doorstep,” shah added.

“We’re delighted to partner with Schneider Electric, a company that not only shares our ethos and passion for the environment but is also committed to ensuring that IXAfrica and its clients meet their operational and sustainability goals,” shah concluded.

Nokia and Telecom Egypt deploy 5G in Egypt

Nokia and Telecom Egypt have entered into a new partnership aimed at transforming Egypt's telecom landscape by introducing 5G to select cities, including Alexandria, Aswan, Cairo, Giza, and Luxor

Nokia will deploy its 5G radio access network (RAN) equipment from the AirScale portfolio, which features baseband units and the latest generation of Massive MIMO radios. These solutions utilize Nokia's energy-efficient ReefShark System-on-Chip technology, providing extensive 5G capacity and coverage while enabling easy deployments. Additionally, Nokia will offer various professional services, including deployment, integration, and network optimisation.

The AirScale portfolio deployment aims to deliver an enhanced network experience to Telecom Egypt’s customers, offering faster data speeds, improved performance, and increased capacity.

Mohamed Al Fowey, vice-president and chief technology officer at Telecom Egypt, commented, “This new agreement with Nokia further strengthens our strong partnership, reaffirms our commitment to providing cutting-edge digital services, and positions us at the forefront of the 5G revolution. Both our consumer and enterprise customers can look forward to enhanced mobile broadband and exciting new applications that leverage the speed and low latency of 5G technology.”

The introduction of 5G technology is anticipated to bring numerous benefits to the people of Egypt, including increased capacity for seamless connectivity in densely populated areas. This will support a wide range of applications and services, leading to faster downloads, smoother streaming, and enhanced network performance. This advancement will enable unprecedented levels of innovation and efficiency across various sectors, empowering organizations to thrive in today's fast-paced digital landscape.

Vox 5G in SA: Faster, better coverage

The new 5G towers can connect up to 10,000 users and offer speeds at least ten times faster. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Vox, a leading internet service provider, has recently launched its 5G service in South Africa to deliver high-speed connectivity and outstanding performance

Unlike 4G, which supports 200 to 400 users per tower, the new 5G towers can connect up to 10,000 users and offer speeds at least ten times faster.

With a wide network of 5G towers nationwide, Vox is providing South Africans with advanced, cost-effective connectivity aimed at enhancing and transforming consumer and business services.

“Our offering is designed to be competitive on both pricing and service delivery, ensuring customers can experience the exceptional speeds and capabilities of 5G within a well-developed, reliable network,” remarked Chris Boshoff, senior product manager at Vox. The service significantly enhances Vox's range of solutions, offering essential 5G services tailored to customer needs.

Offering speeds ten times faster than LTE, 5G boosts performance across various sectors including gaming, home entertainment, business, and manufacturing. The low latency of this solution is crucial, as it improves data transfer times between devices, accelerates network data traversal, supports real-time transactions, and enables advanced technology solutions across multiple sectors.

“The value of low latency cannot be understated,” commented Boshoff. “It is an essential ingredient in delivering real-time data analytics and decision-making and it is central to the capabilities of next-generation voice, video, and gaming solutions.”

In manufacturing, 5G enhances the functionality of the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT). For businesses, it facilitates remote or hybrid working models by providing employees with exceptional connectivity outside the office. Organisations can also use 5G to boost their AI, automation, IoT, and data analytics strategies, ensuring data transfer speeds that enable real-time insights and system management. Additionally, remote working, video conferencing, and eSports benefit from increased speed and reliability.

“I think it’s important to acknowledge the significant impact 5G is going to have on the eSports industry,” stated Boshoff. “It’s a growing segment in South Africa that’s accessible to all levels of the community and drives both inclusion and growth. South Africa is a pool of fresh, untapped talent that’s poised to drive advancements and engagement in eSports.”

The introduction of 5G connectivity through the Vox network paves the way for business growth, transformed consumer service delivery, access to innovative services, and an attractive investment environment.

“Connectivity is one of the core drivers of growth and the economy,” concluded Boshoff. “Our introduction of 5G forms part of our commitment to supporting a thriving economy and connected community.”

The Vox 5G solution is available in all major cities and other densely populated areas, with over 45% population coverage as of the end of April 2024.

MTN hosts Nigerian delegation fostering digital innovation

MTN Group hosted Nigeria's NIPSS delegation in Johannesburg, fostering collaboration on digital technology, youth empowerment, and job creation. (Image source: MTN Group)

MTN Group recently hosted a high-level delegation from Nigeria’s National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) at its Johannesburg headquarters

The visit, organised in collaboration with the SA-Nigeria Business Chamber, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the Nigerian embassy, was part of NIPSS's study tour focusing on digital technology, youth empowerment, and sustainable job creation in Nigeria.

"On behalf of the Nigerian government and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to MTN for hosting our delegation. Collaboration and strategic partnerships are crucial in harnessing the full potential of digital technology for socio-economic development. By integrating efforts, we can create robust frameworks that empower our youth, drive job creation, and foster sustainable growth," commented Alexander T Ajayi, chargé d’affaires, Nigeria High Commission.

Digital transformation commitment

During the visit, the delegation engaged with MTN Group and MTN Nigeria executives and toured MTN’s Technology Innovation Lab, gaining insights into cutting-edge advancements.

"We are honoured to host this esteemed delegation. The visit underscores our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation and economic growth. By working together, we can unlock the digital economy’s full potential and create a connected future for all Nigerians," Enzo Scarcella, executive for consumer business, MTN Group.

The theme of the week-long study tour in South Africa, centered on "Digital Economy, Youth Empowerment, and Sustainable Job Creation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities," encourages constructive discussions and aims to pinpoint fresh avenues for collaboration. This initiative seeks to propel the mutual objectives of building resilient digital societies for the future.

A’isha Umar Mumuni, chief digital officer at MTN Nigeria, reaffirmed MTN’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and economic growth through investments in connectivity, digital platforms, and expanded financial services in rural areas, reinforcing MTN's dedication to Nigeria’s digital future.

SES to acquire Intelsat, boosting satellite industry

In the MENA region, cybersecurity is crucial amidst rising digitalisation and state-sponsored cyber threats, met by BBS Technology's comprehensive solutions. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

BBS technology: MENA's cybersecurity solution

Sparkle and Arqit’s quantum-safe VPN PoC heralds a new era in secure global communication. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Sparkle and Arqit unveil quantum-safe VPN milestone

Photo of Dr Reda Helal and Dr Diane Karusisi

(L-R): Dr Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali and Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – processing, Africa and co-head group processing, Network International. (Image source: Network International)

Rwanda's digital growth with Bank of Kigali & Network International

Avanti and Q-KON partner to launch LEO satellite services in South Africa, enhancing connectivity and business resilience. (Image source: Avant Communications)

Avanti’s LEO service boosts South Africa connectivity

AMN activates first base station with Starlink LEO backhaul, expanding rural connectivity in Nigeria and beyond. (Image source: AMN)

AMN enhances Africa's rural connectivity with Starlink

World Bank’s analysis reveals Djibouti’s digital economy potential and challenges, urging multi-sectoral collaboration for growth. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Djibouti’s digital economy: Strategic insights

Paratus Group pioneers fastest fiber express route linking Johannesburg to Europe, revolutionising telecommunications with low latency and high-speed connectivity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Fastest fibre route unveiled: Johannesburg to Europe

Vertiv launches Vertiv 360AI in EMEA, offering high-density power and cooling solutions to meet the demands of AI, from edge to data centers. (Image source: Vertiv)

Vertiv unveils Vertiv 360AI in EMEA

The new 5G towers can connect up to 10,000 users and offer speeds at least ten times faster. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Vox 5G in SA: Faster, better coverage

Network for channel partners and end users

Redington partners with Vertiv to empower African channel partners, leveraging Vertiv's critical infrastructure technology & Redington's extensive market reach. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Africa's channel expansion with Vertiv

enza will leverage TerraPay’s extensive connectivity to over 2.1 billion mobile wallets globally. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Transforming payments and financial inclusion

PalmPay was recognised in CNBC/Statista's "Top 250 Fintech Companies in the World" list, highlighting its role in advancing financial inclusion in Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)