Members of the Africa Data Centre Association (ADCA) elected Faith Waithaka as the new chairperson, signaling a bold, forward-thinking direction for the body.
Faith Waithaka takes over from the outgoing chairman of ADCA, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, according to a statement on the association’s website.
ADCA is the leading industry body championing a robust and interconnected data centre and cloud infrastructure ecosystem across Africa and has elected new board members and executive leadership team, during its Annual General Meeting which marks a pivotal moment in ADCA’s commitment to accelerating digital transformation across the continent.
With Africa’s digital economy expanding at an unprecedented pace, the newly appointed leadership team will play a critical role in steering ADCA’s strategic agenda—fostering collaboration, enhancing industry standards, and advocating for policies that enable sustainable growth.
The new Chairperson, Faith Waithaka is an accomplished leader with deep roots in Africa’s technology ecosystem.
She is is set to guide the association’s strategic priorities, aligning the board and its members around a common goal: building a thriving, world-class infrastructure landscape.
“I am deeply honored and humbled as I step into the role of Board Chair of the Africa Data Centre Association (ADCA) at such a pivotal time for our industry. The Data Centre sector is not only the backbone of the digital economy, but also an ecosystem that demands both resilience, responsibility, and reliability. Having spent my career immersed in its technical and operational depths, I understand the urgency of our mission and the opportunity we hold. I also want to sincerely thank our outgoing Chair, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, for his exceptional leadership and steadfast dedication. You have laid a strong foundation, and I am grateful to build upon it.
“I am excited at the opportunities for growth of the digital infrastructure across Africa. The continent is rich with potential, innovation, and talent and as demand for connectivity and cloud services accelerates, we have a responsibility to build with intention, sustainability, and long-term impact in mind.” — said, Faith Waithaka, Chairperson, Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA).
Bringing continuity and unwavering dedication to the leadership team, Nikki Blake returns as General Secretary.
Her re-election reflects both the trust of the ADCA community and her proven ability to advance the association’s mission.
Blake’s experience ensures stability at a time of ambitious growth, as she continues to advocate for stronger industry collaboration and capacity building.
Commenting, Nikki Blake, general secretary, Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA), said:
”I am honored to be re-elected as General Secretary of ADCA. It’s a privilege to serve alongside our new Chairperson, Faith Waithaka—together, we step into the next two years with bold vision, unity, and purpose. The best is yet to come!”
Stepping into the role of Treasurer, Lee Perrin brings a sharp focus on operational excellence and sustainable growth.
With Africa’s data centre landscape facing both significant opportunities and complex challenges, Perrin is poised to help navigate this dynamic environment.
“With Africa’s digital infrastructure expanding rapidly, we face both exciting opportunities and real challenges — from building a strong talent pipeline to improving data centre reporting and navigating complex supply chain dynamics. My focus on the board will be to support skills development, accelerate industry transparency, and help unlock practical solutions that move our sector forward. As a combined force, I believe the ADCA community has the strength and knowledge to build a resilient and world-class digital infrastructure landscape for Africa. I’m proud to be part of that journey and look forward to what we can achieve together.”– said Lee Perrin, Treasurer, Africa Data Centres Associations (ADCA).
Building upon the strong foundation of its newly elected executive leadership, the Africa Data Centre Association (ADCA) has further strengthened its governance with the addition of a distinguished cohort of new board members.
Together, they will help shape the strategic roadmap for building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital infrastructure ecosystem.
ADCA’s Board
The newly elected board members bring a wealth of experience and a diversity of perspectives, each contributing unique insights to propel ADCA’s mission forward:
Dr. Angus Hay (Regional Executive: South Africa, Africa Data Centres):
A founding member of ADCA and a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience in Africa’s data centre landscape, Dr. Hay combines deep industry knowledge with strategic vision. His early role in establishing South Africa’s internet infrastructure underscores his long-standing commitment to advancing digital growth across the continent. His guidance will be instrumental in steering ADCA towards sustainable progress.
Lee Perrin (Data Centre MEA Director, CBRE Global):
In addition to his role as Treasurer, Perrin’s expertise spans skills development, supply chain optimisation, and market research, all critical components of Africa’s evolving data centre sector. His focus on operational excellence and sustainable growth strengthens the board’s collective ability to drive transformative outcomes.
Paul Schonborn (CEO, STELLARIX Madagascar):
As the CEO of STELLARIX Madagascar, Schonborn brings invaluable insights from a fast-growing African market. With extensive experience across ICT, telecoms, and corporate communications, and a firm belief in inclusive growth, he champions accessible and reliable digital services. His pan-African perspective and commitment to responsible partnerships will be key assets in advancing ADCA’s regional impact.
Roderick de Boer (Director of Business Development, Equinix Africa & Middle East):
De Boer brings with him the global insights of Equinix, enriching ADCA with an international perspective. His role in fostering regional growth and connecting African markets to global digital hubs positions him as a valuable advocate for the continent’s integration into the worldwide digital economy.
Snehar Shah (CEO, IX Africa Data Centres): With a proven track record of scaling tech businesses across East Africa and currently spearheading the development of a hyperscale data centre in the region, Shah, brings a deep understanding of regional dynamics and the immense growth opportunities within the African market.
The newly elected Chairperson, Ms. Waithaka, extended a warm welcome to the new board members and shares her enthusiasm about working together to drive the association’s mission forward saying;
“I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newly appointed board members. Your insights and leadership come at a crucial time, as we embark on the journey ahead to promote and develop growth for the industry together. I look forward to working alongside my fellow board members, our exceptional management and marketing team, as well as our valued ADCA members to build a future that is sustainable, secure, and bold in its ambition. It is a privilege to lead in a space where infrastructure meets innovation, and where every decision helps power not just growth, but inclusion, equity, and opportunity across Africa and beyond. When we talk about the future of digital infrastructure, one thing is clear: Africa is not just part of the solution, “AFRICA is the solution!”, she said.
The Africa Data Centre Association (ADCA) expresses its profound confidence that the collective wisdom, extensive experience, and unwavering dedication of these newly elected board members, working in close collaboration with the executive leadership, will be the driving force behind achieving the association’s ambitious goals.
