Lagos continues to take the lead in growing digital investments across Africa with the recent launch of MainOne’s (www.MainOne.net) new Data Center, “Lekki II” by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Following closely on the heels of its acquisition by Equinix, the world’s digital infrastructure company, the new data center will drive the acceleration of digital services in the state.
Speaking at the launch event, the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended MainOne on building digital infrastructure in line with his Government’s strategy to make Lagos State a 21st Century Smart City. He added that “Lagos is already on the map as the leading destination for technology companies on the African continent. Lagos is the commercial nerve center of the country and we will continue to create an enabling environment for businesses to flourish by ensuring our policies support investment and create opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors. We can see that Equinix is now poised not only to be the biggest digital infrastructure player in Nigeria but in Africa, and we welcome Equinix to the heartbeat of the country, the Centre of Excellence, the largest economy in Africa and the technology transformation hub of Africa”.
Other special dignitaries at the launch event included the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; the Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Adeolu Akande who represented the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami; the Commissioner Science and Technology for Lagos State Mr. Hakeem Fahm, Government dignitaries, Equinix Management and Corporate Executives from Nigeria and Ghana.
The CEO of MainOne, Funke Opeke in her welcome address expressed her excitement, “We are delighted to be expanding our Lekki Campus today to increase capacity in our region. Indeed, having a parent company that is the world’s digital company choose to enter Africa through the acquisition of MainOne is a bold statement. Equinix recognizes that Lagos has the potential to become the digital infrastructure hub for Africa and we are delighted that through this acquisition Equinix will extend its network of 240 data centers in 66 markets to Lagos. Our plans include further expansion to the Lekki Campus to accommodate the requirements of global hyperscalers and regional businesses as we expand to connect the over 10,000 companies already on the Equinix platform. These businesses will now have access to our region and local businesses will come onboard to interconnect with them.”.
