Coker: Outlook for data centre build in Lagos is strong

The CEO of Open Access Data Centres, Ayotunde Coker, foresees a bright future for the development of data centres in Lagos, positioning the city as the next key mega hub outside of South Africa. Coker predicts that this year will witness the launch of multiple megawatt hyperscale-ready data centres, with Africa requiring more than 700 data centres in the long run to fully capitalize on the growing segment and safeguard its digital sovereignty. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Ayotunde Coker discussed the evolving digital infrastructure landscape in Africa, highlighting key trends, strategic considerations, and the broader technological implications of the sector's growth. Coker emphasized the importance of adequate power supply, connectivity, and large-scale data centres as foundational elements for a thriving data ecosystem in Lagos. He revealed plans for a significant 24-megawatt expansion of an existing hyperscale data centre in Lagos, in addition to similar developments by other providers. Coker stressed the necessity of creating an environment conducive to attracting hyperscale providers, noting that the indicators in Lagos currently align with such requirements. Discussing the global shift towards cloud technology, Coker underscored the importance of being future-ready and emphasized the increasing role of cloud services in various aspects of daily life and business. He drew parallels between Africa's consumer habits, characterized by affordable, on-demand sachet purchases, and the utility of cloud technology in delivering computing power seamlessly at the point of use. Coker highlighted the interdependence between cloud technology and artificial intelligence (AI), noting the critical role of cloud infrastructure in supporting AI applications. Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of data sovereignty and the emergence of Lagos as a hub for data-related activities in Africa. Coker discussed the importance of investment in expanding data centre infrastructure, citing the substantial economic multiplier effect that such investments can generate. He disclosed that Open Access Data Centres secured a significant $500 million investment to bolster its expansion plans and outlined the implications of such developments for the local economy in Lagos and beyond. Coker also revealed intentions to establish smaller edge data centres in other Nigerian cities to enhance content delivery efficiency and further stimulate economic growth. With the convergence of connectivity and data centres shaping Nigeria's digital landscape, Coker expressed optimism about the transformative impacts on the economy. The influx of data centre investments is poised to revolutionize digital environments and drive economic growth across the country, setting the stage for a dynamic future in Lagos and beyond.