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Vertiv strengthens AI cooling strategy with STL acquisition. (Image source: Vertiv)

Vertiv has announced the acquisition of Strategic Thermal Labs LLC (STL), a firm known for its expertise in advanced liquid-cooling solutions

The move enhances Vertiv’s thermal chain strategy by reinforcing engineering capabilities at the critical interface between server-level liquid cooling and the supporting infrastructure, an area that is becoming increasingly important in high-density environments driven by AI and high-performance computing workloads.

As computing demands continue to rise, the relationship between server-side liquid cooling and broader infrastructure plays a growing role in overall system performance. Factors such as flow management, system balance, control dynamics, serviceability and long-term reliability are all influenced by this interaction. By integrating STL’s expertise in cold plate design, server-level cooling and high-density thermal validation, Vertiv aims to strengthen its ability to replicate real-world high-density conditions, refine the interaction between thermal and power systems and support customers throughout the full lifecycle, from design and integration to commissioning and operations.

“As AI and high-performance computing push power densities to unprecedented levels, understanding and solving heat challenges at the chip level becomes critical to system design, performance and reliability,” said Scott Armul, chief product and technology officer at Vertiv.

“STL brings deep expertise and proven capability in addressing some of the industry’s most demanding chip-level density and thermal problems, strengthening Vertiv’s ability to emulate and validate system-level solutions and enabling customers to improve performance and lifecycle outcomes in liquid-cooled environments.”

Vertiv confirmed that the acquisition will not alter its commitment to maintaining an open ecosystem. The company will continue to deliver interoperable infrastructure solutions that remain independent of specific server or silicon technologies, ensuring improved system-level performance across a wide range of computing environments.

The addition of Strategic Thermal Labs aligns with Vertiv’s broader strategy to help customers manage rising infrastructure complexity by combining power, thermal, control and lifecycle service capabilities into integrated solutions.

Rössing Uranium deploys LTE towers with MTC. (Image source: Rössing Uranium)

Rössing Uranium has rolled out four private Long-Term Evolution LTE towers at its mining site, significantly enhancing connectivity across its decades-old open pit and nearby operational zones

Delivered in collaboration with MTC, the deployment represents a key milestone in the company’s digital transformation strategy, enabling the adoption of advanced technologies that support modern smart mining practices.

The LTE rollout involved an investment of N$3.7 million for the towers, forming part of a wider infrastructure upgrade programme valued at more than N$10 million.

During the commissioning event held at the open pit, Managing Director Johan Coetzee underlined the importance of reliable communication in mining operations.

“Every truck we dispatch, every drill reading we analyse, and every safety alert we rely on depends on strong, uninterrupted communication. Without it, we are not just inconvenienced, we are exposed. Reliable connectivity gives us full visibility across operations,” he said.

He further emphasised that safety remains paramount in the constantly changing open pit environment. “Conditions can change instantly; slopes shift and machinery is constantly in motion. In those moments, communication is vital. A robust network allows real-time monitoring, rapid response, and ultimately helps protect lives. Sometimes, seconds make all the difference.”

Coetzee also pointed to the role of connectivity in boosting operational efficiency, noting that systems such as fleet management, GPS tracking and automated dispatch rely heavily on stable network performance.

“With this upgraded infrastructure, we are reducing uncertainty and enabling smoother operations, improved coordination, and stronger overall performance,” he noted.

Dr Licky Erastus, Managing Director of MTC, highlighted the wider impact of the initiative, stating; “This project is about improving how people connect and work on the ground. It is an enabler of safer, smarter, and more efficient mining operations. By bringing reliable, high-performance communication into complex industrial environments, we are empowering teams with the tools they need to make better decisions in real time and operate with greater confidence.”

As Rössing Uranium continues to upgrade its operations, enhanced connectivity is expected to remain central to driving safer, more efficient and technologically advanced mining performance.

iXAfrica welcomes Gewape to NBOX1. (Image source: iXAfrica)

iXAfrica Data Centers, described as East Africa’s first hyperscale, carrier-neutral and AI-ready data centre platform, has announced that Gewape Cloud Group has joined its NBOX1 facility in Nairobi, reinforcing the city’s growing position as a strategic digital infrastructure hub for enterprise cloud, AI and interconnection services

Gewape Cloud Group delivers sovereign cloud infrastructure for emerging markets across Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas. Through locally focused operations and specialist brands, the company provides compliant, market-aligned cloud environments designed for regulated and mission-critical workloads.

By establishing operations at iXAfrica’s NBOX1 campus, Gewape Cloud is expanding Nairobi’s role as a core East African cloud hub while broadening its own regional presence. The move supports continued growth across both current and future markets.

The company’s active cloud regions currently include Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Singapore and Brazil. Planned expansion markets include Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ghana.

By selecting iXAfrica, Gewape Cloud said it will gain access to future-ready infrastructure and establish its primary hub in Kenya.

As cloud adoption advances, enterprises and regulated sectors are increasingly seeking infrastructure that offers local control, resilience, regulatory responsiveness and low latency. Against this backdrop, the combination of Gewape Cloud’s sovereign model and iXAfrica’s carrier-neutral platform is expected to support trusted digital growth.

For iXAfrica, the collaboration also highlights NBOX1’s role beyond traditional colocation, positioning the facility as a digital hub for cloud on-ramps, AI capacity, enterprise interconnection and regional digital services.

Munyengabo Dushime said: “True data sovereignty goes beyond local servers; it means empowering enterprises to scale freely across regions, without being confined by a single provider or cloud location. With iXAfrica’s NBOX1 facility as our latest East African Region, we are further strengthening our rapidly expanding multi-region cloud fabric”.

Snehar Shah said: “Welcoming Gewape Cloud to NBOX1 reflects the growing demand for high-performance, locally relevant infrastructure. This partnership supports our mission to enable cloud, AI, and interconnection growth across East Africa.”

He added: “With rising demand for compliant cloud environments and scalable digital platforms, such partnerships are central to enterprise modernization and digital resilience in emerging markets”.

Gewape said it offers a turnkey Sovereign Stack that helps enterprises avoid major upfront capital expenditure while delivering high-performance computing and multi-homed, high-speed connectivity. The company added that iXAfrica’s carrier-neutral ecosystem strengthens its multi-cloud approach, giving customers flexibility to integrate workloads across networks of their choice.

According to Gewape, its platform provides operational independence, cross-border active-active resilience with sub-60-second recovery, and local pricing structures that help shield clients from foreign exchange risk, while ensuring data remains within the customer’s legal jurisdiction without sacrificing enterprise-grade performance or creating single-vendor lock-in.

Liquid closes US$660mn refinancing as oversubscribed Eurobond backs Africa’s digital growth.

A 2.5-times oversubscribed Eurobond issued in a cautious and risk-selective market has highlighted strong investor confidence in Africa’s digital infrastructure sector and the long-term growth prospects of Liquid Intelligent Technologies

Liquid Intelligent Technologies has completed a US$660 million debt financing package, including a US$300mn Eurobond that attracted demand 2.5 times above the amount offered. The result signals robust institutional appetite for one of Africa’s largest independent fibre network operators.

The bond, listed on Euronext Dublin and issued under Rule 144A/Regulation S, formed the central element of a broader refinancing and debt repayment programme undertaken by Liquid, the pan-African fibre and technology business owned by Cassava Technologies.

According to the company, the transaction retires previous debt obligations, extends the maturity profile of its borrowings and resets the balance sheet on terms that provide management with greater financial flexibility to accelerate growth and reinforce Liquid’s role in Africa’s digital transformation.

The strong level of demand, despite a challenging capital markets backdrop, suggests investor confidence in Liquid’s underlying assets. These include a 115,000-kilometre fibre network spanning more than 25 countries, expanding cloud and cybersecurity revenues, and a strategic position at the intersection of connectivity and AI infrastructure.

The Eurobond was accompanied by syndicated ZAR and USD term loan facilities. A US$210mn ZAR syndicated term loan, arranged by Nedbank, Rand Merchant Bank, Standard Bank and the International Finance Corporation, provides a natural currency hedge against Liquid’s significant South African revenues.

A further US$150 million syndicated term loan was provided by Ninety One through its own funds and the Emerging Africa and Asia Infrastructure Fund, together with The Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited (MCB).

Alongside these facilities, Cassava Technologies injected US$195mn in fresh equity. Combined, the instruments retire prior debt obligations, lengthen maturities, improve balance sheet flexibility and place net leverage on a downward path.

Anchor orders for the Eurobond were placed by leading development finance institutions, including DEG. Their participation indicates confidence in the developmental importance of Liquid’s digital infrastructure across emerging markets.

Credit rating momentum also supported the transaction. Fitch Ratings upgraded Liquid Intelligent Technologies ahead of launch, while Moody's placed the issuer on Review for Upgrade.

J.P. Morgan, Rand Merchant Bank and Standard Bank acted as Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners.

"This refinancing is a significant milestone, not just financially, but strategically. A stronger, more sustainable balance sheet gives Liquid the platform it needs to pursue the full scope of digital transformation opportunities across Africa, from fibre and cloud to cyber security and AI-enabled infrastructure. The quality of the institutions that participated in this transaction is a statement of confidence in Liquid’s fundamentals and in Africa’s digital growth story," remarked Hardy Pemhiwa, Group CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies.