TelCables expands digital infrastructure in West Africa

The digital infrastructure landscape in West Africa is poised for significant enhancement with the recent expansion efforts of TelCables Nigeria, a subsidiary of Angola Cables. The company is establishing a new point of presence (PoP) within the Lagos Rack Centre facility, a move that marks a pivotal milestone in the region’s digital development.

Fernando Fernandes, the CEO of TelCables Nigeria and West Africa, emphasised the implications of this expansion, stating that the new PoP aims to “revolutionize digital connectivity by localizing traffic” and thereby offering faster, more reliable internet access to a diversity of stakeholders, including enterprises, government institutions, and individual users throughout the region. This development underlines the increasing importance of robust digital infrastructure as West Africa seeks to enhance its connectivity.

Angola Cables brings valuable expertise to this venture, particularly through its extensive submarine cable network spanning over 33,000 kilometers. This network facilitates a global reach via partnerships with other cables, effectively connecting Africa to the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Since entering the West African market in November 2022, TelCables has actively sought to enhance ICT solutions in the area, indicating a commitment to ongoing improvement and investment in the regional digital landscape.

This expansion aligns with the ambitious campus development at Rack Centre in Lagos, which is nearing completion of its LGS 2 Data Centre. This new facility is expected to significantly elevate the centre’s operational capabilities, offering 13.5 megawatts of IT power and 7,200 square meters of space to foster digital operational growth. Lars Johannisson, CEO of Rack Centre, noted that the data centre has been specifically designed with “artificial intelligence readiness” in mind, enhancing its capacity for data processing and storage.

Hosting over 68 telecommunication carriers, Internet service providers, and global Tier 1 networks, the Lagos facility is already a significant hub for connectivity. The strategic collaboration between TelCables and Rack Centre represents a concerted effort to bolster resilient digital infrastructure in West Africa, an initiative intended to transform the region into a more prominent participant in the global digital economy while addressing pressing connectivity issues.

Further illustrating its commitment to enhancing continental connectivity, TelCables expressed plans to open another PoP at Teraco’s data centre in Durban, South Africa, in March 2024. This move signals a broader vision for digital connectivity that encompasses multiple nations in Africa.

The recent developments highlight a critical juncture for digital infrastructure in West Africa, as TelCables and Rack Centre work towards creating more versatile, efficient, and powerful connectivity solutions. As digital transformation accelerates in the region, such investments will be instrumental in bridging connectivity divides and empowering both businesses and communities.

Source: Noah Wire Services