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IFC, Proparco, RMB fund WIOCC's Africa expansion

Left to right: Dan Croft (Regional Industry Manager, Infrastructure, Central Africa & Anglophone West Africa - IFC), Jean Guyonnet-Duperat (Country Director Nigeria - Proparco), Chris Wood (CEO - WIOCC Group), Chidi Iwuchukwu (Head of Investment Banking, Banking Division Africa - RMB). (Image source: WIOCC Group)

A financing package from IFC and Proparco is set to support the expansion strategy of digital infrastructure provider WIOCC Group in three African countries.

This funding will bolster the continent’s digital infrastructure and connectivity, promoting economic growth.

The package comprises loans totaling US$10mn and ZAR 200 million (approx. US$11mn) from IFC, part of the World Bank Group, and US$20mn from Proparco, a development finance institution affiliated with the Agence Française de Développement Group. Additionally, WIOCC anticipates securing another US$10mn loan from RMB in the coming weeks to further its expansion in Nigeria. The funds will enable WIOCC Group to enhance its core and edge data centres in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, and South Africa to meet the increasing demand for colocation and other data centre services. Furthermore, it will expand its fibre networks, helping to bridge the digital divide and fostering economic growth across Africa.

Sustainable growth how?

The financing is structured as sustainability-linked debt, with interest rates tied to WIOCC's commitment to enhancing the energy efficiency of its data centres and achieving EDGE green building certification. EDGE, an innovation by IFC, simplifies the design and certification of resource-efficient and zero-carbon buildings.

We are excited to conclude this next stage of our capital raise, which will enable significant expansion, adding further capacity to our open-access data centre operation and extending open-access hyperscale national, international, and metro connectivity across our key markets in Nigeria, southern Africa, the DRC and Greater East and Central Africa,” said Chris Wood, CEO of WIOCC Group. “Our policy of continual investment in infrastructure to create Africa’s first, truly open-access interconnected digital ecosystem means ongoing investment for growth, ensuring readiness to meet the future demands of our clients’ customers throughout Africa.”

“The Agence Française de Développement Group have been supporting WIOCC since its inception back in 2007,” said Ariane Ducreux, head of energy, digital and infrastructure at PROPARCO. “We are very proud to pursue this long-term partnership by supporting the expansion of the Open Access Data Centres’ activities in Nigeria, South Africa, DRC and beyond. Truly neutral and open-access data centres are the cornerstone of a diversified digital ecosystem. Local data storage and processing capacity are also vital for the resilience of Africa’s digital network, as recent outages have demonstrated. The sustainability-linked structure of this new financing, along with technical assistance support, also aims to incentivise the rollout of energy and water efficient data centres, while adapting implementations to the specs of each site environment.”

“Our long-standing partnership with WIOCC of more than 15 years demonstrates IFC’s commitment to increasing affordable and reliable digital connectivity in Africa through shared infrastructure. This new debt facility will help WIOCC fulfil its ambition to establish an integrated, open-access, core-to-edge cloud ecosystem throughout the African continent, which is critical to bridge the digital divide,” said Bertrand de la Borde, IFC global industry director of infrastructure.

“RMB is thrilled to be a Strategic Banking Partner to WIOCC. Digital Infrastructure is one of our core sectors of expertise as a Bank. As such, we are excited at the opportunity to support this deal and remain committed to partnering with WIOCC on its growth journey across the continent,” said Chidi Iwuchukwu (head of investment banking, broader Africa - RMB).

Since its inception in 2007, WIOCC has been investing in Africa's digital backbone, delivering open-access infrastructure to meet the growing demand for reliable connectivity solutions throughout the continent.

As WIOCC Group continues to transform digital Africa, this latest capital raise signifies a major milestone in its journey towards building a more connected Africa, fostering long-term partnerships and sustainability.

Collaboration fuels growth in Africa’s data centre industry

Onix Data Centres and Africa Data Centres are partnering to enhance Ghana’s digital infrastructure and support data security and accessibility. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Africa Data Centres (ADC) and Onix Data Centre have joined forces to expand their presence in West Africa, starting with Ghana

Digital partnership in Ghana

This strategic partnership aims to bolster the region’s digital infrastructure, ensuring data remains within national borders for improved security and performance. UniCloud Africa Limited, a pan-African cloud service provider, is also part of this collaboration, signifying a significant advancement in digital services that will benefit customers across West Africa and drive regional economic development.

During the signing ceremony in Accra, Dr Krishnan Ranganath, the regional executive for West Africa at Africa Data Centres, emphasised the importance of this partnership. By entering the Ghanaian market alongside Onix, the Centres can harness innovative technologies and sustainable practices to deliver exceptional data services to the West African market.

“We’re stepping into the Ghana market through the partnership with Onix. Along with that, I have UniCloud Africa Limited. It’s one of the pan-African cloud service providers. So, it’s the first baby in this marriage between ADC and Onix. Our collaboration with Onix Data Centre allows us to leverage innovative technologies and sustainable practices, enhancing our ability to serve the West African market effectively,” stated Ranganath.

Yen Choi, CEO of Onix Data Centre, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting Onix’s commitment to global tech standards. As a leading Tier 4 data centre in the region, Onix Data Centre plays a crucial role in the digital transformation of Ghana and the broader region. Ladi Okuneye, CEO of UniCloud Africa, emphasised that this initiative supports both large organisations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), fostering economic growth and enabling digital transformation.

Rack Centre and AWS boost Africa's connectivity

Rack Centre and AWS boost Africa's connectivity, linking local centers to global AWS network for digital growth. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Rack Centre and AWS have partnered to enhance internet connectivity across Africa

This collaboration, facilitated by a recent webinar titled “AWS Direct Connect: Extend Your On-Premise Networks into AWS,” brought industry experts together to discuss critical connectivity challenges.

During the session, experts emphasised how AWS Direct Connect provides reliable solutions for managing and scaling network traffic. Real-time bandwidth adjustments prevent businesses from exceeding limits, while built-in security features make it a trusted choice for sectors like finance and consulting.

The collaboration also bridges local and global connectivity. By enabling direct connections from local data centers to AWS’s extensive global network, businesses reduce reliance on public internet, ensuring higher speeds and lower latency for efficient data exchange. Local service providers play a crucial role in facilitating these connections, seamlessly integrating with existing infrastructure.

AWS Solutions Architect Ashraf Altalleh highlighted Direct Connect’s technical advantages, emphasising its importance for streamlining operations and expanding digital capabilities. He described it as a dedicated, high-performance connection that minimises latency and maximises reliability.

Obinna Adumike, head of Interconnection and Peering at AF-CIX, discussed the role of AF-CIX as a mediator between AWS and businesses. He highlighted the availability of hosted Direct Connect services through AF-CIX.

“AF-CIX serves as a vital bridge, providing businesses with cost-effective and dependable cloud interconnection solutions. Our goal is to bolster cloud interconnection, peering, and efficient traffic localisation, thereby supporting digital transformation across Africa,” Adumike said.

The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, addressing network resilience, equipment requirements, and AWS gateway availability in Nigeria. Participants were encouraged to connect with AWS representatives for personalised consultations, demonstrating AWS’s commitment to assisting businesses in regulatory navigation and compliance.

This collaboration between Rack Centre and AWS strengthens Africa’s connectivity infrastructure. As a carrier-neutral data center, Rack Centre continues to provide comprehensive connectivity solutions, fueling Africa’s digital ecosystem and growth.

Airtel Kenya expands 5G coverage in Kenya

Airtel’s network currently reaches 89% of Kenya’s population. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Airtel Kenya has announced the introduction of new Unlimited Home Broadband 5G Data Plans, which promise uninterrupted data service and dependable performance on their 5G network

These plans are designed to cater to the varied requirements of both residential and commercial users, offering a smooth and transformative digital connectivity experience.

Airtel Kenya’s 5G plans?

Since the launch of its 5G network in the middle of the previous year, Airtel began with 372 sites across 16 counties and 180 wards. The company has now nearly doubled its 5G presence, with over 690 sites spanning 39 counties and 285 wards. To celebrate this expansion and the significant adoption of 5G services, Airtel has introduced these unlimited broadband plans specifically for home users who desire the superior 5G experience.

“We are pleased to introduce Airtel Kenya’s Unlimited Plans,” announced Ashish Malhotra, managing director of Airtel Kenya. “They signify our commitment to providing unmatched connectivity solutions and embody our vision for individuals and businesses empowered by seamless connectivity.”

Airtel’s network currently reaches 89% of Kenya’s population, and the company is dedicated to further expanding its infrastructure to cover 94% by the end of 2024, aiming to bring reliable connectivity to more people.

“At Airtel, we are steadfast in our dedication to supporting digital inclusion, and we are encouraged by the market’s response to our offerings. We are confident that our ongoing network expansion will enable us to extend connectivity to more communities nationwide, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital revolution,” added Malhotra.

The Unlimited plans come in three different speeds: 10 Mbps for Kes 3,500 per month, 20 Mbps for Kes 5,000 per month, and 30 Mbps for Kes 6,500 per month. These plans require an Airtel 5G router, which is available at all Airtel stores for Kes 2,999.

An added feature of the Unlimited 5G Plans is a unique power backup included with the Airtel 5G router, which guarantees continuous service for up to 5 hours during power cuts, a first in the market.

Customers can acquire the 5G routers at any Airtel location nationwide.

Airtel is undertaking a significant network expansion initiative, planning to deploy close to 1000 new sites by year’s end. This expansion, the largest in Airtel Kenya’s history, aims to enhance indoor coverage in urban areas and extend services to rural regions, with a particular focus on improving network reach in the northeastern part of the country.

Sparkle, Telecom Namibia enhance Equiano connectivity

Sparkle will supply Telecom Namibia with capacity services on the Equiano submarine cable, providing a varied and swift connection between Africa and Europe. (Image source: Sparkle)

Sparkle, Italy’s premier international service provider and a leading global operator, has joined forces with Telecom Namibia, the country’s state-owned telecom operator, to enhance capacity services via the Equiano subsea cable that links Portugal to South Africa

This collaboration aims to fast-track the digital transformation in Namibia.

Telecom Namibia, under the ownership of the Namibian government, operates the nation’s most extensive digital telecommunications network, catering to over 619,000 customers with a comprehensive range of services including voice, messaging, data, and video.

Enhancing Namibia's digital future

Through a unique arrangement, Sparkle will supply Telecom Namibia with capacity services on the Equiano submarine cable, providing a varied and swift connection between Africa and Europe. This supports Namibia’s digital progress and meets the increasing data demands of the surrounding regions.

The alliance ensures a high-capacity, varied data transmission pathway, which minimizes delays and boosts network robustness, guaranteeing consistent service even during disruptions to the SAT-3 and WACS cables. The enhanced connectivity will enable businesses and governmental bodies to expedite their digital transformation, driving economic advancement and steering Namibia towards becoming a knowledge-driven economy.

Concluding the agreement, Telecom Namibia CEO Dr Stanley Shanapinda said, “We are thrilled to partner with Sparkle to leverage the Equiano cable's advanced capabilities. This strategic alliance underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional connectivity solutions to our customers and fostering Namibia's digital transformation. The Equiano cable's high-speed, low-latency connection will serve as a catalyst for innovation and economic growth across the nation.”

“We are very pleased for this agreement with Telecom Namibia which confirms our shared vision on the importance of international connectivity to support the digital growth of the country,” said Enrico Bagnasco, CEO of Sparkle. “We are also proud to see how our infrastructure on Equiano is proving crucial for the evolution of the telecommunications sector in the African continent”.

Sparkle is the leading global Tier-1 operator in Africa thanks to its Seabone IP backbone, boasting extensive coverage in the continent, a wide network of Points of Presence (PoPs) across North Africa, Nigeria, South Africa, and Djibouti, as well as fiber capacity on the Equiano subsea cable.

Qualcomm supports African tech

MTC's MTC Maris set to revolutionise Namibia

OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa, a 2MW open-access, Tier-III data centre, boosts DRC's digital ecosystem with carrier-neutral, sustainable infrastructure. (Image source: Open Access Data Centres)

OADC Texaf boosts DRC's digital ecosystem

For Ghanaian customers, this license means more efficient and secure money transfers across the country. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Flutterwave gains enhanced PSP license in Ghana

The introduction of Network One in Nigeria aligns with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive for in-country transaction routing, boosting local processing capabilities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)