Internet

DRC's largest data centre opens

Raxio Group launches DRC's largest Tier III data centre in Kinshasa, boosting digital transformation with US$30mn investment and 1.5MW capacity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

In a significant step towards enhancing the Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) growing influence in Africa's digital transformation, Raxio Group has officially launched its state-of-the-art data centre in Kinshasa

This facility, the largest in the country, has earned Tier III accreditation from the international industry body, the Uptime Institute.

Named Raxio DRC1, the advanced data centre is supported by a US$30mn investment and marks a crucial milestone in the DRC’s National Digital Plan (Plan National du Numérique). This initiative aims to promote digital inclusion, stimulate private sector growth, and modernise public services through digitalization.

Situated in Limete, southeast of Kinshasa, the two-storey Raxio Data Centre covers an area of 1,542 square meters. It boasts a modern design capable of accommodating up to 400 racks and can consistently deliver 1.5MW of IT power to client equipment. Operating 24/7, the facility is strategically positioned along major fibre routes, offering top-tier colocation and connectivity services. Its Tier III certification is bolstered by multiple pathways for power and cooling systems, while the use of cutting-edge technology ensures high efficiency and a strong commitment to sustainability.

Construction of the project began in early 2023 and was completed in record time, reflecting Raxio’s established expertise in building data centre facilities across Africa. The rapid completion also underscores the support of government authorities in prioritising and accelerating essential national projects.

“The inauguration of our Kinshasa data centre marks a significant achievement for Raxio and a pivotal moment for the DRC's digital landscape,” said Robert Mullins, CEO of Raxio Group. “DRC is one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing markets with an existing latent demand for digital products and services that is forecast to soar in the coming years. With this facility, we are providing the critical infrastructure essential to supporting the digital economy and enhancing connectivity – and we expect to expand our presence in DRC through additional capacity and new facilities in years to come. Our investment reflects unwavering confidence in the DRC's immense potential and our commitment to sustainable digital development across Africa.”

With the widest footprint of any data centre provider on the continent, Raxio's strategy is to address the significant demand for high-quality data infrastructure across Africa. Since opening its first data centre in Uganda in 2021, Raxio has expanded this year into Ethiopia and Mozambique. The launch of the DRC marks the opening of Raxio’s fourth facility this year with 1.5MW being the group’s largest Day 1 capacity to date.

Pan-African digital backbone

Raxio continues to see strong momentum behind the roll-out of its pan-African digital backbone. Appetite for data centre capacity is growing not just amongst local enterprises and the public sector, but increasingly from some of the world’s largest hyperscale Cloud Service Providers, Content Delivery Networks and Mobile Network Operators as they strengthen their networks and market presence on the continent.

The DRC launch aligns with the government's Plan National du Numerique to make expansive digitalisation a catalyst for economic growth, competitiveness and social inclusion, while enabling a range of public and private sector cloud-based digital services. The Provision of data centres is one of the key pillars of the government plan, improving the digital landscape through reduced latency for real-time applications and providing a reliable backbone for mobile and internet connectivity.

“Closing sub-Saharan Africa’s connectivity gap is no longer a pipe dream – it is happening now and we are extremely proud to be among the key enablers that are driving digital inclusion,” said Yannick Sukakumu, general manager Raxio DRC. “The commitment and pragmatism of the government has been a key enabling factor in spurring our project from inception to completion in record time and stands as an inspiration for the wider region in grasping this incredible opportunity for a broad-based digital economy expansion. We are looking forward to welcoming customers into an international-standard data centre environment.”

Siemon’s guide for AI-ready networks

Siemon’s new guide helps data centre professionals design robust AI-ready network infrastructure, addressing the unique demands of ML and generative AI. (Image source: Siemon)

Siemon, a global leader in network infrastructure solutions, has introduced a new guide aimed at assisting data center professionals in making informed decisions regarding network infrastructure to support current and future AI advancements

The guide offers valuable insights for a wide range of users, from AI cloud service providers needing power and cooling solutions for high-density rack configurations in large high-performance computing (HPC) clusters, to large enterprises aiming to integrate AI infrastructure into existing on-site or colocation data centres.

Addressing the unique demands of data- and compute-intensive machine learning (ML) and generative AI applications, which require extremely high bandwidth and low latency, the guide recommends AI-ready fibre solutions. These include high-density, end-to-end singlemode and multimode MTP fibre systems that support ultra low-loss (ULL) transmission up to 800G and beyond for compute and storage fabrics. Additionally, the guide suggests considering direct attach cables (DACs) and active optical cables (AOCs) for high-speed, low-latency point-to-point connections within back-end AI clusters, catering to Ethernet, RoCE, and InfiniBand networks.

Siemon’s new guide also provides advice on suitable cabling configurations in order to meet the higher power and cooling demands of GPU-based servers and it discusses the latest developments surrounding Infiniband and Ethernet, suggesting connectivity options that support both technologies.

“As data centres gear up for AI, users need innovative, robust network infrastructure solutions that will help them to easily design, deploy, and scale back-end, front-end, and storage network fabrics for complex high-performance computing (HPC) AI environments,” says vice-president sales for India, the Middle East and Africa at Siemon. “We have created this guide to provide data centre professionals with a detailed overview of what they need for the design, delivery, and day-to-day operation of AI networks.”

Schneider Electric boosts Africa's data centres

Schneider Electric targets Africa's growing data centre market with a dual strategy, engaging end-users and channel partners for expanded opportunities. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Schneider Electric, a leading provider of energy equipment and solutions, has recognized a prime opportunity emerging from the rising demand for data centre facilities in Africa

This surge in demand is attributed to increased Internet penetration and a growing digital economy, setting the stage for East and West Africa to become key market hubs. Schneider Electric sees this as a chance to support partners and resellers in the region through a dual strategy: engaging directly with end-user data centers and driving sales opportunities via channel partners, thereby stimulating demand.

“Schneider Electric is a channel-driven business, with about 70% of our order fulfilment done through the channel,” stated Rohan de Beer, end user sales director – Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric. “The growth in the African data centre space is therefore an opportunity for our partners to upskill themselves and strengthen their relationships with the local data center end users. Connectivity on the continent is growing massively, the economy is becoming a bit more stable overall, so this provides the environment for our resellers and distributors to further grow these data center opportunities for themselves.”

Historically, the company has relied solely on external channels to develop market prospects, which sometimes led to missed opportunities and shared market space with competitors.

“With the two-pronged approach, we can get closer to the end user for two reasons – to influence the technology and innovation at an earlier stage in the lifecycle of a project and then to also improve our share of the wallet at the customer base,” he explained. “Obviously, we would then take these opportunities and share them with our channel and fulfil them through the channel.

“So, it's a direct cut of the pie, but it’s still fulfilled through the channel. We are not going to increase our direct business, that's not the idea. The idea is to increase our share in the wallet while fulfilling orders through the channel and this approach seems to be working great.”

Power to partners

Schneider Electric is also implementing specific initiatives to empower its channel partners with the skills needed for deploying advanced solutions in the data center market.

“There are a couple of things that we are doing,” de Beer added. “Firstly, this is where our channel programme that we revised and relaunched this year plays a big role. So, partners who want to participate in this influx of business can register on the partner portal and get free access to online training from a sales perspective and the pre-sales solutions side. This includes all our technical tools, videos and training.

“Secondly, we also drive instructor-led solutions and design training sessions through the Anglophone cluster. We have so far completed East, West, and South in the first half of the year. That is purely focused on technical training solutions for our channel partners and distributors.”

He noted that the next step will involve hosting focused end-user and channel executive roundtables and customer events to further equip the channel and end users with the necessary skills.

Liquid & Globalstar revolutionise 5G

The partnership grants Liquid exclusive rights to sell and distribute Globalstar’s XCOM RAN private networks 5G access solution in the Gulf, Middle East, and Africa. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid), part of the Cassava Technologies group, has announced a strategic partnership with American connectivity innovator Globalstar to deliver cutting-edge 5G connectivity solutions across Africa, the Middle East, and the Gulf

Strive Masiyiwa, founder and Chairman of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, expressed, "I’m really excited by the connectivity solutions now emerging from breakthroughs in 5G private networks technologies. With this technology we are now able to provide services to large businesses like mines with their own 5G private networks that can also enable NextGen services like AI; this is huge."

Transforming connectivity

The partnership grants Liquid exclusive rights to sell and distribute Globalstar’s XCOM RAN private networks 5G access solution in the Gulf, Middle East, and Africa. This advanced technology enhances the 5G experience, supports AI-driven applications, and is poised to revolutionise the mining industry in Africa, as well as high-end markets in the Middle East and Gulf regions.

Hardy Pemhiwa, president and group CEO of Cassava Technologies, remarked, "We look forward to the opportunities this exclusive partnership with Globalstar will unfold for our existing and potential customers in these sectors. Globalstar’s unique 5G enterprise solution will enable us to provide unparalleled connectivity to our customers on the continent, aligning with our ambition of becoming a leading technology company of African heritage, empowering businesses and communities with the reliable and high-speed internet access needed to thrive in the digital age."

Liquid will offer comprehensive customer support for Globalstar’s products and services, including technical and warranty services. The collaboration may also extend to Globalstar’s satellite, Band n53 spectrum, and IoT solutions on a non-exclusive basis.

Dr Paul Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar, commented, "Globalstar is pleased to join in partnership with Cassava and Liquid, a group of well-respected leaders with a sharp focus on technology deployments. The regions where Liquid is a leader are large and growing markets for our technologies which enable safe automation and remote control of mobile equipment in high-value environments. Our 5G XCOM RAN product fundamentally differs from traditional wireless solutions and enables mission-critical high-performance wireless applications. Combining XCOM RAN with the globally licensed Globalstar n53 midband spectrum creates a very unique offering for private and enterprise 5G networks. Together, Liquid and Globalstar will accelerate advanced wireless technology deployments in Africa, Middle East, and Gulf regions."

This partnership between Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Globalstar marks yet another milestone, reaffirming Liquid’s dedication to collaborating with global organizations that share a vision of fostering progress and innovation through connectivity for businesses and individuals on the African continent and beyond.

5G network expands across Africa

Africa's first 5G MVNO service has launched, expanding coverage to over 370 locations and introducing new unlimited home broadband plans for enhanced connectivity. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

5G in Africa is rapidly expanding, enhancing internet speeds, boosting connectivity, and driving innovation across industries, from urban centers to remote areas

Equitel, the mobile virtual network operator from Finserve, has launched its advanced 5G network in partnership with Airtel, becoming the first MVNO in Africa to offer 5G services. Building on the success of its previous 4G network, this new 5G service promises incredibly fast and reliable connectivity, enhancing the digital experience for businesses, communities, and individuals.

The 5G network is available in over 370 locations nationwide, including major towns such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Kisumu, with plans to extend to high-density areas like residential neighborhoods and shopping centers. Equitel, known for its leadership in mobile banking in Kenya, continues to offer exceptional convenience and affordability. Customers benefit from free Equitel-to-Equitel money transfers and can make payments at over 1 million merchants nationwide at no extra cost through the One Equity Till Number.

What are Airtel's new 5G plans?

Airtel Kenya has introduced new Unlimited Home Broadband 5G Data Plans, designed to deliver uninterrupted and reliable data service on their expanded 5G network. These plans cater to both residential and commercial users, providing a transformative digital connectivity experience. Since the mid of last year, Airtel has grown its 5G network from 372 sites across 16 counties and 180 wards to over 690 sites in 39 counties and 285 wards.

For additional details, check out our latest summer issue here

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