Grace Ashiru
Africa Data Centres, which has the most extensive network of connected, carrier- and cloud-neutral data center facilities on the continent, has announced that it will soon start building on the land it bought in Accra, Ghana’s Central Business District. The new plant was built, to begin with 10 M.W., but it can grow to 30 M.W. if more power is needed. It will be the biggest building outside of Nigeria in West Africa.
Data centers are the basis of digitally-driven economic growth around the world. Without them, it would be impossible to build ICT ecosystems that are sustainable and self-sufficient. The new building will be on part of the old Trade Fair showgrounds, one of the city’s most important central sites. The first part is expected to be finished in a year.
This new building is part of Africa Data Centres’ plans to expand across the whole continent. These plans include South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast, and Angola, 10 of Africa’s most important economic centers. This unmatched growth, partly paid for by the U.S. government’s U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), is a big step to speed up digital infrastructure and services in Africa run by the private sector.
Through Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Africa Data Centres, we continue to offer services and goods that are known all over the world. Hardy Pemhiwa, Group CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, says, “Liquid already has the largest cross-border fiber network in Africa, and the expansion of our data centers footprint will make this even better and speed up the digital transformation of the continent.”
Scott Nathan, the Chief Executive Officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), said, “DFC is proud to help African Data Centres. This new building in Accra is an essential investment in infrastructure that will help connect the fast-growing African population and market to opportunities worldwide.
DFC’s plan to improve ICT infrastructure in West Africa aligns with what President Biden said he would do to get private money for investments in high-quality global infrastructure that improve people’s lives.
This new data center will help make that happen in Ghana and the surrounding area. In addition, it will create jobs by improving business conditions and attracting data-dependent companies looking to spend and grow.
Senior Advisor to the U.S. Government Amos Hochstein said, “This investment shows the U.S. Government’s commitment under the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII) to unlock public and private cash for long-term infrastructure investment. Along with the data centers in South Africa and Kenya, the one in Ghana is helping to prepare the region for a digital revolution.
The President of Ghana, Hon. Nana Akufo-Addo, said about the new investment: “The opening of Africa Data Centre’s new 10MW data center in the heart of Accra is a major step toward filling the infrastructure gap and growing our digital economy further.
This investment and the government’s push to digitize all parts of the economy will make it easier for us to use digital services and help us get even more foreign direct investment.
“Our new data center in Ghana is a big step toward the goal of Africa Data Centres to close the digital divide in West Africa.” Africa Data Centres is best known for its hyper-scale data centers, which large U.S. tech companies, global corporations, banks, and other local businesses use.
Also, our data centers are powered by solar panels and batteries. This lets us bring digital technologies while reducing our impact on the earth, said Tesh Durvasula, CEO of Africa Data Centres.
