Installed capacity, which sat at just under 70MW in 2024, is projected to reach about 330–340MW by 2026, a fivefold expansion that few emerging markets can reach. 

That scale of expansion results from high demand from cloud providers, financial institutions, digital platforms and AI-driven services that can no longer depend on offshore infrastructure without paying the price in latency, cost and compliance.

Valued between $280 to 300 million today, the market is expected to approach $670 million by 2030, with investments over $1.7 billion by 2027. 

Colocation revenue alone is forecast to grow from about $251 million in 2025 to almost $580 million by 2030, growing at a pace of over 18% a year. 

Hyperscale campuses, carrier-neutral sites and well-engineered Tier III and IV facilities designed for dense, powerful workloads are driving this growth. 

Interestingly, nearly 70% of new data centre capacity planned for West Africa is being developed locally, anchoring Lagos as the region’s primary hyperscale and interconnection hub.

Supported by nationwide fibre initiatives such as Project BRIDGE, which aims to lay 90,000 kilometres of fibre across the country, and a digital economy projected to contribute up to $180 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2026, the foundations are now in place.

Taken together, these explain why 2026 has a lot in store to look forward to. This is the year Nigeria’s data centre market gains larger scale and competitiveness.

These top data centre and cloud projects to watch in 2026 are laying the foundations for how data, cloud and AI will work in Africa’s largest economy.

1. 21st Century Technologies’ 50MW Hyperscale Facility, Ikeja

What makes 21st Century Technologies’ Ikeja project impossible to ignore in 2026 is not just its size, but its intent. At 50MW, this is one of the largest hyperscale builds in West Africa, but its vision goes deeper. 

The facility is being designed for a phase where artificial intelligence, sovereign cloud and national data control are immediate needs. With demand for AI compute increasing across Africa, power and reliability have become the battlegrounds. This project faces that reality head-to-head.

The Ikeja site is engineered to Tier IV standards, with full N+2 redundancy across power, cooling and network layers. That is important because AI and mission-critical cloud workloads do not tolerate downtime. This facility will set a new benchmark for resilience in Nigeria’s data centre market. 

Its AI-ready architecture supports both hyperscale cloud providers and enterprises running heavy models locally, reducing dependence on offshore infrastructure and latency-prone routes. With open-access connectivity and a newly deployed regional network gateway, 21CTL is turning Ikeja into a serious interconnection hub.

This is a homegrown Nigerian hyperscale project at a time when most large facilities are foreign-owned. In 2026, data sovereignty will matter more than ever, especially for governments, banks and AI developers working with sensitive datasets. 

In combining scale, local leadership and global partnerships, 21st Century Technologies is going beyond adding capacity to laying down infrastructure that supports economic growth, skilled jobs and Africa’s long-term digital independence. That is why this project belongs strongly on any watchlist.

2. Airtel Africa’s 38MW Nxtra Hyperscale Data Centre, Eko Atlantic

Airtel Africa’s Nxtra facility at Eko Atlantic is unique because it is being built for the next wave of computing, not the last one. At 38MW, this carrier-neutral hyperscale data centre expands Nigeria’s capacity at a time when AI workloads are rewriting the laws of data centre design. 

High-density racks, GPU-ready halls and serious power planning are now highly indispensable. Nxtra is leaning fully into that transition.

Location is a strategic advantage here. Eko Atlantic provides direct proximity to major subsea cable routes and fibre corridors, translating into lower latency and stronger international reach. For cloud providers and enterprises, this is important. 

In 2026, the ability to deploy AI and cloud services locally, while staying tightly connected to global platforms, will define competitiveness. We expect this facility to attract both hyperscalers and regional platforms looking for neutral ground in Lagos’ fast-crowding data centre sector.

Beyond capacity, Nxtra’s importance lies in timing and scale. Backed by over $120 million in investment and scheduled to go live in early 2026, it arrives just as Nigeria’s cloud market enters its next growth phase. 

Its targeted power efficiency, multiple substations and regulatory alignment give it an edge with fintechs, telecoms and data-heavy enterprises under pressure to keep data onshore. 

This points to the fact that telecom operators now see data centres as core to Africa’s digital economy, not a side business.

3. Open Access Data Centres’ 24MW Hyperscale Expansion, Ilasan

Open Access Data Centres’ Ilasan project earns its place on this list because it solves one of Nigeria’s biggest digital problems, which is connectivity at scale. 

Expanding from 2MW to a planned 24MW by 2026, the Ilasan site is designed to serve hyperscalers, cloud platforms and AI-driven enterprises that demand both power and speed. Sitting directly next to the Equiano subsea cable landing station, it provides one of the lowest-latency environments in West Africa.

What truly differentiates this project is its open-access model. Carrier neutrality means choice, and choice drives competition, resilience and better pricing. Through its Open Access Fabric, OADC is effectively collapsing the distance between Lagos and Europe, making global cloud services feel local. 

With more workloads staying in-country to meet data protection regulations, facilities like Ilasan become strategic assets rather than simple colocation sites.

The scale of investment, $240 million committed as part of an African expansion plan, cannot be ignored. This project reveals a high confidence level in Nigeria’s digital growth. Sustainability is being built in from the start, with renewable energy integration and efficient design reducing long-term operating risk. 

In 2026, success will favour data centres that balance scale, connectivity and cost discipline. OADC’s Ilasan facility does exactly that, positioning Lagos as a regional hub ready to take its place in the global cloud and AI infrastructure map.

4. MTN’s Dabengwa Data and Cloud Centre, Lagos

MTN’s Dabengwa Data and Cloud Centre earns its place on this list of top data centre and cloud projects to watch in 2026 because it represents a transition in how large-scale digital infrastructure is being delivered in West Africa. 

Launched in 2025 and already seeing demand outpace supply, the facility is the region’s largest prefabricated modular data centre. That is important in 2026, when speed, flexibility and reliability are no longer nice-to-haves. At full build-out, the centre provides 9MW of Tier III capacity, designed to scale in phases as demand continues to rise.

What’s most interesting is the build approach. Using 96 prefabricated containers across three floors, the centre was designed to deploy faster, expand cleanly and maintain high resilience under pressure. 

This is a practical response to Nigeria’s infrastructure situation. The modular design allows MTN to add capacity without long construction cycles, while Tier III certification ensures uptime for cloud, enterprise and public sector workloads. Early adoption by government agencies and enterprises shows that trust is already in place.

In 2026, the Dabengwa Centre will not be judged just by size, but by impact. It is already supporting cloud platforms, fintech services and government systems aligned with Nigeria’s digital economy agenda. 

With strong partnerships and deep local market reach, MTN is using this facility to anchor cloud services closer to users and institutions. That combination of scale, speed and adoption is why this project deserves close attention.

5. Kasi Cloud LOS1 Hyperscale Data Centre, Lekki

Kasi Cloud’s LOS1 project is ambitious by any standard, and ambition is exactly why it belongs on this watchlist. Planned as a 100MW hyperscale campus backed by a $250 million investment, LOS1 is designed to operate at a scale Nigeria has not seen before. 

In 2026, scale will be more important than ever. Cloud providers and large platforms are no longer looking for incremental capacity. They want room to grow, and LOS1 is being built to provide it.

Location and backing strengthen the case. Situated on the Lekki Peninsula and supported by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, LOS1 combines strategic geography with sovereign confidence. 

The facility is designed as a carrier-neutral interconnection hub, built to attract global cloud platforms while supporting local digital services. 

Nigeria is not just a consumer of cloud services, but also a host for regional digital infrastructure.

Sustainability pushes LOS1 even further ahead. With a target of 95% renewable energy usage, the project sets a new benchmark for green hyperscale development in Africa. In 2026, energy efficiency will be a deciding factor for hyperscalers weighing long-term operating costs and risk. 

LOS1’s focus on clean power, massive capacity and interconnection makes it a cornerstone project that will change how the world views West Africa.

6. Jovis Nigeria Data Centre, Victoria Island

The Jovis Nigeria Data Centre is among the top data centre and cloud projects to watch in 2026 because it shows where demand is heading, not where it has been. 

Located in Victoria Island, the country’s financial and commercial nerve centre, the project seeks to serve banks, fintechs, corporates and digital platforms that need low latency and local hosting. 

In 2026, proximity will be essential. Data-heavy services cannot afford distance when speed and compliance are on the line.

This project is also part of a growth wave changing Nigeria’s data centre market. With hundreds of megawatts of new capacity expected by 2026, competition will increase, and only well-located, well-built facilities will thrive. 

Jovis benefits from experienced delivery partners and a Tier III design approach that aligns with enterprise and regulatory needs. This is a measured, useful addition to Lagos’ fast-growing infrastructure base.

What makes Jovis one to watch is timing. As data localisation regulations tighten and open banking and digital public services expand, demand for secure domestic hosting will increase. 

Facilities like this help reduce reliance on offshore infrastructure while creating local jobs and skills. In 2026, the Jovis Data Centre will not just be another site in Lagos. It will be a pointer to how Nigeria’s digital economy is getting stronger, one project at a time.

7. Equinix LG3, Lagos

Equinix LG3 is key in 2026 because it marks a turning point, not an expansion. This is the first ground-up Equinix facility in West Africa, and it reveals a deeper, long-term commitment to Nigeria as a regional connectivity hub. 

While earlier presence came through acquisition, LG3 is purpose-built, designed from day one to integrate Lagos into Equinix’s global interconnection platform. That alone changes how international businesses view Nigeria.

Lagos already sits at the crossroads of multiple subsea cable systems, and LG3 is built to convert geography into economic advantage. By bringing global interconnection services directly into Victoria Island, Equinix is shortening the distance between Nigerian enterprises and global markets. 

This facility is expected to become a magnet for multinational firms, cloud platforms and fast-growing local companies that need secure, low-latency access to partners and customers worldwide.

What to watch in 2026 is not just occupancy, but influence. With LG3 going live in the first quarter and backed by a $100 million Africa expansion plan, Equinix is embedding Nigeria into its worldwide fabric of interconnected data centres. 

That pushes Lagos from a regional hosting location to a true global exchange point. For the cloud and enterprise market, this is a structural transition, not a headline project.

8. Rack Centre LGS2 Expansion, Lagos

Rack Centre’s LGS2 expansion stands out because it combines scale, sustainability and neutrality in a way few projects in the region can match. At 12MW, it expands the company’s footprint and positions the campus as one of the largest carrier-neutral sites in West Africa. 

In 2026, capacity alone will not be enough. Data centres that succeed will be those that can scale responsibly and connect efficiently, and this expansion is designed with that reality in mind.

The sustainability angle is not to be ignored. LGS2 builds on Rack Centre’s green credentials, with energy- and water-efficient design that has already set regional benchmarks. This is becoming more important as operators face high energy expenses and pressure from enterprise customers to meet environmental targets. 

The site’s ability to host dense workloads while maintaining efficiency gives it an edge as demand for compute continues to climb.

What makes LGS2 particularly relevant in 2026 is its ecosystem role. With access to all major Atlantic subsea cables and dozens of carriers, Rack Centre is not just adding space, it is strengthening Lagos’ place as an interconnection hub. 

With more data required to stay within national borders, facilities like this will anchor Nigeria’s digital sovereignty while supporting cloud growth at scale.

9. Africa Data Centres (Pan-African Expansion)

Africa Data Centres earns its place on this list not because of a single site, but because of its reach. In 2026, the story will move from isolated facilities to networks, and ADC is building one of the largest carrier-neutral footprints on the continent. 

Its expansion across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco and other key markets makes it a backbone in Africa’s digital economy.

Demand is the driver. Internet usage, digital payments, enterprise cloud adoption and content consumption are all accelerating, and latency is no longer acceptable. Hosting workloads closer to users is becoming essential. 

ADC’s strategy is a direct response to that pressure. Creating interconnected hubs across multiple countries, it enables cloud providers and enterprises to deploy regionally while staying compliant with local data rules.

In 2026, ADC’s importance will be measured by how seamlessly it links markets. Its facilities are designed to support hyperscale platforms, financial services and governments that need reliability and choice. 

Africa’s data centre capacity is expanding, and ADC’s pan-African model doesn’t just make it a landlord, but an enabler of cross-border digital trade and growth.

10. Project BRIDGE – Nigeria’s National Fibre Backbone

Project BRIDGE belongs on this list because data centres do not operate in isolation. Fibre is the silent dependency, and in 2026 this project will determine how far Nigeria’s cloud ambitions can really go. 

By planning to roll out 90,000 kilometres of open-access fibre, BRIDGE addresses the single biggest limitation facing large-scale digital infrastructure, and that is national connectivity.

What makes BRIDGE different is reach. While most data centre projects are clustered around Lagos, this initiative extends high-capacity connectivity to all 774 local government areas. 

That changes the economics of cloud services. This is the moment when data centres stop serving only coastal markets and begin supporting nationwide digital services in health, education, finance and public administration.

In practical terms, BRIDGE is the foundation beneath every hyperscale build planned for 2026 and beyond. Without reliable fibre backhaul, scale is theoretical. 

With it, cloud platforms can provide consistent performance across the country. For investors and operators, this project is the infrastructure that makes every other project on this list viable.

The $22 Million investment in LG3 marks the first phase of an ambitious investment plan of around $100 million aimed at transforming Africa’s digital landscape over the next two years.

Set to open in Q1 2026, the new site will deliver vital new infrastructure to Nigeria empowering local businesses to scale, while drawing international companies to the country in this strategically positioned hub for global connectivity.

The addition of the new LG3 Data center in Nigeria also brings the incorporation of Equinix Fabric into the metro, enabling businesses to securely connect their physical and virtual infrastructure to cloud service providers, partners, and other companies to other Equinix locations all around the world.

“LG3 marks a significant milestone in Equinix’s long-term commitment to bridging Africa’s digital divide,” said Wole Abu, managing director for West Africa at Equinix. “As Lagos emerges at the crossroads of talent, innovation, and global connectivity, this facility is accelerating access to technologies like cloud, AI, and the next wave of startups. We’re not just building data centers, we’re fostering growth, empowering innovation, and laying the groundwork for an interconnected African economy ready to lead on the global stage.”

Olawale Owoeye, managing director at Cedarview added;

“Equinix’s Lagos data center will provide us with the robust and resilient platform our customers demand to expand our digital footprint.

The unparalleled reliability and access to a global ecosystem empower us to deliver high performance solutions to our customers and the new LG3 data center in Lagos is key step in ensuring we remain at the forefront of businesses connecting Africa.”

Nigeria is the second-largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is home to a vibrant and increasingly tech-savvy population.

Lagos, in particular, is at the epicenter of Africa’s digital transformation, recognised as the only African city in the Global Top 100 Startup Ecosystems.

Commenting on the opportunity for Equinix in Africa, Aslıhan Güreşcier, vice president, EMEA Growth & Emerging Markets at Equinix said:

“Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating, driven by a young population, rising internet access, and increasing demand for secure data infrastructure. With the opening of our newest data center in Lagos, Equinix is proud to invest in this dynamic region, supporting our customers’ growth with world-class data centres that power everything from banking and education to emergency services and commerce.”

Since entering the African market in 2022, Equinix has expanded its presence in key African markets including, Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. Last year the company also opened its first data center in Johannesburg South Africa, significantly strengthening Equinix’s global presence on the continent, accelerating Africa’s digital transformation by delivering sustainable, carrier neutral infrastructure that reliably connects it with the rest of the global economy.

With a footprint spanning over 270 data centers worldwide, Equinix is continuing to bring its global expertise and infrastructure to the region.

This includes harnessing Nigeria’s strategic position as an international hub for global subsea cable connections, linking Africa with Europe, Asia, and beyond.

Equinix also reiterated its commitment to responsible investment and operations that prioritise sustainability.

“Across all our sites, including LG3, we work to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency”, the company said.

The high-level session brought together senior executives, regulators, and investors from 15 countries across and beyond Africa.

During the Data Center Panel themed “Data Center and Cloud in Africa: The Journey to 2,500 MW,” industry experts, including Guy Zibi, Managing Partner at Xalam Analytics; Johnson Agogbua, Chief Executive Officer of Kasi Cloud Data Centers; Roger Shutte, General Manager, Infrastructure & Cloud Engineering at MTN Nigeria; Snehar Shah, Chief Executive Officer of IX Africa Data Centres; and Karim Amer, Head of IP Business for North, West, and Central Africa at Nokia, shared insights on Africa’s evolving data infrastructure landscape.

Amer from Nokia said North Africa is leading a new wave of investment. “By 2030, Egypt will account for about 25 percent of Africa’s total data center capacity, Morocco 15 percent, and Nigeria around 9 percent,” he said. “The balance of growth will depend on energy reliability, cross-border regulation, and policy openness.”

Zibi of Xalam Analytics, said the global AI race has redefined Africa’s opportunity map.

“If Africa captures even half a percent of global data-center power demand by 2030, that’s at least one gigawatt of new capacity,” he said. “The question is: who will finance, regulate, and staff it?”

Shah of IX Africa Data Centres, said regional frameworks will be key.

“We need East African data-sharing frameworks so neighbouring countries can use Kenya’s infrastructure,” he said. “Otherwise, capacity will remain isolated while demand elsewhere grows.”

Panelists agreed that AI, cloud, and fintech workloads are accelerating faster than infrastructure can keep up.  “The learning journey has shortened dramatically since November 2022 – what used to take 18 months to build as a minimum viable product now takes me an evening” said Roger Shutte, General Manager, Infrastructure & Cloud Engineering at MTN Nigeria. “The real challenge now is deployment — the infrastructure must be ready to keep up with that speed.”

The Hyperscalers Convergence Africa was convened by Africa Hyperscalers and supported by Nokia, Open Access Data Centres (OADC), IHS Towers, Vertiv, Equinix, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

This initiative aims to enhance connectivity across southern Nigeria over the next two years, with a particular focus on Port Harcourt and Lagos.

The company is expanding its reach in Nigeria, following its $320 million acquisition of MainOne in 2022. This acquisition allowed Equinix to enter the West African market, and now, the $140 million investment is aimed at decentralising the country’s digital infrastructure, which has been long dominated by Lagos. 

By setting up its first data centre in Port Harcourt and scaling its third Lagos facility, Equinix seeks to alleviate the over-concentration of data infrastructure in the commercial hub.

“This move is not just about expansion; it’s about equity in access to digital infrastructure,” said Wole Abu, managing director of Equinix West Africa. “We’re creating redundancy and expanding bandwidth capacity, which will have a ripple effect on the region’s digital economy.”

The new Port Harcourt data centre, PR1, will also serve as the first landing station for Meta’s 2Africa submarine cable in Nigeria. This cable, which is one of the most advanced global systems, will increase the region’s bandwidth capacity significantly. 

Equinix’s focus is to reduce Lagos’ monopoly on digital infrastructure, and this investment seeks to create new growth corridors for Nigeria’s digital economy.

While Nigeria’s digital sector has made great strides in the past two decades, there’s still much work ahead. Mobile subscriptions have surged from zero to over 140 million since the 2001 GSM licence auction, and data infrastructure has blossomed with the introduction of fibre-optic networks and tower companies. 

However, much of this infrastructure is still based in Lagos, leaving regions like Port Harcourt and others in southern Nigeria underconnected.

The arrival of major international companies such as Equinix has started to shift the balance, but the country’s broadband penetration, according to the National Broadband Plan, still lags behind. While the plan targets 70% broadband penetration by 2025, Nigeria is currently sitting at 45%, meaning there’s a long way to go to achieve full coverage.

“Equinix’s investment is a step in the right direction,” says Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister of Nigeria. “By investing in new data centres and connectivity, the company is supporting Nigeria’s push for more inclusive and reliable digital infrastructure that can support the economy’s growth.”

But the challenges don’t stop at the coastline. While Nigeria’s major cities benefit from the latest subsea cables like the 2Africa and Google’s Equiano, the inland regions still face a lack of middle-mile infrastructure. This vital fibre-optic network links the cable landing stations to the rest of the country, and without it, Nigeria risks facing a fragmented digital ecosystem.

The government, however, is not sitting idle. The Federal Ministry of Communications has launched the Broadband Alliance, an initiative to expand fibre networks across Nigeria. A key aim is to ensure that internet services reach all regions, even the underserved areas far from the coastal landing points.

Equinix’s expansion is not just about addressing infrastructure gaps but about building resilience in Nigeria’s digital economy. In response to potential threats such as cable damage from underwater rockslides, Equinix has implemented a strategy to route traffic across multiple cables in an active/active setup, ensuring that disruptions will go unnoticed by customers.

“Our goal is to ensure resilience,” Wole Abu explained. “By improving infrastructure redundancy, we aim to prevent any future disruption from impacting the experience of our customers.”

This expansion into Port Harcourt also spells out a comprehensive strategy of decentralising internet access across Nigeria. In taking these steps, Equinix is taking up a big part in the country’s movement to diversify its digital economy and close the digital divide that has plagued the nation for years.

This initiative will go beyond contributing to Nigeria’s digital capacity to also enable economic opportunities in regions that have long been sidelined in the country’s tech-driven future. With Equinix’s new facilities and greater international connectivity, the hope is that other private sector players will follow suit, accelerating Nigeria’s digital transformation.

This initiative aims to enhance local cloud capabilities, attract hyper-scale investments, and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration, Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s Director-General, emphasised the need for accurate data and regulatory frameworks to support these initiatives, necessary for Nigeria to control its digital infrastructure, data, and technological future noting that,

“Without this foundation, we cannot achieve true digital sovereignty. Our goal is to build an ecosystem where both local data centre providers can scale, and global hyper-scalers see Nigeria as a viable investment destination.”

While identifying lack of accurate data on Nigeria’s IT infrastructure as significant challenge, Inuwa noted that while Africa comprises nearly 19% of the world’s population, it hosts less than 1% of global data centres.

“This disparity, coupled with limited insights into Nigeria’s existing IT capacity, hampers investment efforts and without clear data on our infrastructure, attracting investment becomes challenging,” he said.

The NITDA boss maintained that, to address this, NITDA commissioned comprehensive research to assess Nigeria’s digital landscape which findings have highlighted the need for improved regulatory frameworks, clearer investment incentives, and stronger public-private collaboration. He added that subsequently upon this, NITDA has engaged global consultants to redefine strategies for cloud development.

As the TWG embarks on its mission, NITDA urges industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to contribute their expertise and resources. “With collective effort, Nigeria can emerge as the premier digital hub for West and Central Africa,” Inuwa concluded.

While corroborating the Director General’s point of views, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Mr. Emmanuel Edet, underscored the importance of regulatory intervention in fostering a robust digital economy.

“Our objective is to establish policies and legal frameworks that support cloud development, enabling us to securely host and manage our data. This is crucial for the growth of our digital economy, Edet said.”

He also highlights the necessity of capacity building, stating that, “Equipping ourselves with top-tier training and expertise is essential to fully leverage digital technologies.” Mr. Edet called on all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. “Collaboratively, we must develop a framework that reflects our national interests, and it should be widely accepted. This effort will define Nigeria’s role in the global digital arena, he observed.

The TWG will help in the drive to attract hyperscale investments and enhance local cloud capabilities by proffering measures to encourage the use of accurate data, recommend the enactment and compliance to enabling policies.

Techeconomy can report that members of the TWG which includes Google, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, HUAWEI Cloud, Equinix, Kasi, Rack Centre, Africa Data Centres, several other data centre operators and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission expressed support and readiness to volunteer and contribute resources.

When dealing with complex topics like data pipelines, machine learning, or cloud systems, the real challenge is translating intricate ideas into insights that are practical and easy to grasp for the audience.

One thing that has stayed with me over my many years as a technical writer and data professional is that understanding how people process information is key.

The goal is to communicate in a way that connects with them, no matter their level of familiarity. For example, machine learning concepts should be presented in ways that resonate with both technical teams and decision-makers.

Writing effective documentation goes beyond explaining the “how”; it also shows the “why” behind solutions and helps teams see their value and potential.

A vital part of this process is breaking down information into smaller, manageable pieces—a concept known as chunking.

Structure content into clear sections, making it easier for readers to focus on one aspect at a time. This approach reduces cognitive overload and improves retention, aligning with the idea that people absorb information better in small doses.

Tools like diagrams, code examples, and concise summaries aren’t just helpful—they’re essential for guiding readers without overloading them.

Visuals also play a big role in technical writing. Data is often visual by nature, whether in charts, dashboards, or diagrams.

A well-designed diagram can explain a complex concept more effectively than paragraphs of text. The goal is always to simplify without oversimplifying, ensuring visuals add clarity without sacrificing depth.

Tone and language matter too. Writing for diverse audiences means balancing technical detail with accessibility. You should aim to simplify explanations without losing their meaning.

This can involve focusing on the purpose behind the concepts—why a model performed better or why a tool suited a specific need. Explaining the reasoning in relatable terms builds trust and keeps readers engaged.

Technical writing also evolves, much like building and refining data systems. Documentation isn’t static—it adapts as products change and audience needs become clearer.

Good technical documentation bridges gaps across teams. Clear documentation strengthens collaboration between developers, operations teams, and business stakeholders. A product that’s well-documented is easier to adopt, troubleshoot, and scale—benefiting everyone involved.

Storytelling adds another layer of connection. I’ve found that framing technical concepts as real-world case studies makes the material stick.

Instead of explaining a data engineering process in abstract terms, showing how it solved a specific problem makes the content more relatable and valuable.

At its core, technical writing is about understanding your audience. It’s not a one-size-fits-all process; it’s about anticipating questions, addressing pain points, and delivering information in a way that empowers readers.

My background in psychology has helped me appreciate how people think and learn, giving me a unique perspective on how to connect with them effectively.

Technical writing is about people. It’s about meeting them where they are, speaking their language, and giving them the knowledge they need to succeed. That’s what makes it both challenging and rewarding.

The writer:

Sooter Saalu is a data professional and technical writer with extensive experience in creating comprehensive documentation for data and DevOps products. Currently, he serves as a data-focused documentation specialist at Draft.dev, where he consults on various technical articles and documentation series.

With a unique background combining psychology and computer science, Sooter excels at simplifying complex technical concepts for diverse audiences. 

Throughout his career, Sooter has contributed to over 100 technical pieces for notable clients, including Redpanda, Dataiku, Equinix, and Expanso.

He has also made significant contributions to open-source projects like Bokeh and Bacalhau. His ability to bridge the gap between data expertise and effective communication allows him to deliver high-quality documentation that enhances user understanding and engagement.

There has also been a significant shift in traffic distribution on the exchange. Previously, Nigeria accounted for 85% of the total traffic, while the region contributed only 15%.

However, regional traffic has now surged to 45%, reflecting remarkable growth and success in building a dynamic digital ecosystem that delivers faster, more efficient connections across West Africa.

AMS-IX Lagos has focused on attracting a diverse range of global and regional peers and bringing more content to the region.

This exchange has accelerated regional interconnectivity, driven substantial traffic growth, and streamlined traffic flow across the region by enabling diverse ISPs, telecom carriers, and content providers to interconnect at a centralized platform.

The growing network includes new peers such as Zenlayer, Cedarview, China Telecom, AirtelTigo, Afribone, Virtual Technologies and Solutions, as well as major mobile network operators and internet service providers across West Africa, all joining global peers on the exchange. Talitha Mensu-Bonsu, Packet Core and Backbone Network Engineer at Airtel Tigo confirms; “Joining the exchange has unlocked tremendous value for our business by providing seamless access to content our customers demand”.

“Joining AMS-IX Lagos has enabled CDN77 to achieve a balanced and efficient network spread across West Africa,” added Jiri Prochazka, Head of Network Infrastructure at CDN77.

Oluwasayo Oshadami, director, Solutions Architecture for Equinix Nigeria states,

“As a Data Center Operator in West Africa, our goal is to create a platform where everyone can connect and interact with each other easily. Out of Equinix’s data center in Lagos, AMS-IX Lagos Internet exchange has transformed connectivity into a competitive advantage for operators in West Africa thereby reducing latency, cutting costs, and fostering a thriving digital ecosystem where businesses and communities can interact and grow together.”

“It is truly remarkable to witness the ecosystem’s continuous growth monthly and the increasing value it brings to the region” says Wouter Ensing, global business development manager at AMS-IX.

AMS-IX Lagos Internet Exchange remains focused on advancing the region’s interconnection infrastructure, aiming to serve an even broader range of network participants by functioning as a true regional hub.

This partnership will continue to drive digital transformation, positioning AMS-IX Lagos as the preferred hub for CDNs, NSPs, ISPs, and MNOs across the region.

In his role, Wole will oversee the Equinix business in Nigeria, Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire and will work closely with both local businesses and multinational companies to build on the strong foundations for connectivity and growth in the region bringing the opportunity of Equinix to the West African region.

Wole takes over the reins of Equinix’s West Africa business from MainOne’s founder and CEO, Funke Opeke, who remains with Equinix as a strategic advisor in the West African region through March 2026.

Wole is a seasoned professional with over 20 years’ experience in the Nigerian Telecoms Industry.

Wole Abu, managing director for West Africa at Equinix, said;

“I’m excited to be joining Equinix, as we share a common vision for expanding digital infrastructure across Africa. This mission is crucial for bringing life-enhancing services to the region and bridging the digital divide. By empowering both enterprises and individuals, we’re enabling broader participation in the global digital economy. I’m eager to contribute to this transformative work and help create a more connected, accessible digital landscape throughout Africa.”

Commenting on Wole’s appointment, Judith Gardiner, Vice President for Growth and Emerging Markets at Equinix said: “We are delighted to have Wole join Equinix as the leader driving our operations in West Africa. With his expertise, we will support local businesses and multinational companies in expanding into Africa and beyond through Equinix. This marks a significant milestone for Equinix as we continue to develop our presence in Africa, establishing crucial strategic data hubs, accelerating digital technology development, supporting our customers, and contributing to the continent’s immense growth potential through robust digital infrastructure.”

Who is Wole Abu?

Wole Abu joins Equinix from Liquid Intelligent Technologies where he held the position of CEO for Nigeria and Africa Data Centre (ADC). As well as driving business success, Wole is passionate about driving societal and social change through technology and is focussed on driving a successful strategy for connectivity and digital access in West Africa.

Prior to his appointment at Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Abu served as the Chief Executive Officer of Pan African Towers, a telecom infrastructure company he built to being one of the leading Towercos in Nigeria. Abu also served as Vice President of Sales at Airtel Nigeria, where he also held several senior management roles in the Human Resources, Engineering, Operations, Finance, Legal, and Marketing departments respectively.

This polyfocal blend of functional skills, makes Abu a very experienced leader and force in the telecoms sector as he is poised to bridge the connectivity gap in Africa in an environmentally sustainable fashion.

This is demonstrated as he was recently named one of the top 20 Towercos Chief Executives in the World by TowerXchange.

Abu, in his storied career also won the Nigeria Tech Innovation and Telecom Award (NTITA) by the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) for his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the telecom industry. Abu was also elected by the same association to serve as its Publicity Secretary.

He has managed across start-ups and mature companies, leading these businesses into periods of massive and rapid growth through new business service rollouts, while driving positive change in the respective companies.

While at Pan African Towers, Mr. Abu led the company to win four significant awards in its two years of business operations.

Abu is creative, innovative, visionary and a strategic planner who has an excellent sense of business ethics and corporate governance.

With his continued leadership style, rare enthusiasm and heightened drive to revolutionise the telecom industry in Nigeria, Mr. Abu is dedicated to making a significant impact on the society.

Highlights and Qualifications

• Abu is a member of the Project Management Institute, and volunteers regularly for causes that protect families and empowers communities.
• He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering with Honours from the University of Benin and an MBA from the Lagos Business School.
• In 2012, Abu attended the Indian Institute of Business Management, Ahmedabad where he acquired a certification in Business Administration and Management.
• Abu has attended several leadership courses in top educational institutions and consistently gives talks and makes presentations in top conferences and seminars globally… [Source]

Wole will also lead Equinix’s key local engagements to make a meaningful impact to society through the support of initiatives focused on education, sustainability, and the betterment of society as well as driving the vital environmental and community initiatives so crucial to the sustainable goals and vision of Equinix.

Wole’s appointment as Managing Director for Equinix’s West African business follows shortly after the opening of Equinix’s newest data center in Johannesburg.

While Funke Opeke, who founded MainOne in 2008, will no longer oversee day-to-day operations, she will remain influential within the company, transitioning into a strategic advisory role that will extend through to March 2026. 

MainOne is entering a new chapter under the leadership of Wole Abu, a well-known figure in Nigeria’s telecommunications industry.

Formerly CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria, Wole Abu has been appointed as Opeke’s successor and his extensive experience includes leadership positions at Pan African Towers and Airtel Nigeria, making him a fitting choice to guide MainOne through its next phase of growth.

In his new role, Abu will focus on expanding MainOne’s internet service offerings and data centre operations across the region.

Sources close to the matter report that Equinix, which acquired MainOne in April 2022, plans to undertake several major infrastructure projects, including three new data centre facilities and an increase in fibre capacity.

MainOne’s brand will continue under Equinix’s ownership, preserving its identity while benefitting from the resources and global expertise that Equinix brings. 

Since the acquisition, MainOne’s operations have been bolstered by Equinix’s industry footprint, making it one of the largest exits in Africa’s tech ecosystem. 

The acquisition of MainOne, valued at $320 million, shows the growing interest in Africa’s digital infrastructure as global players aim to capture the expanding demand for internet connectivity and data services across the continent.

Under Opeke’s leadership, MainOne deployed the first private submarine cable on Africa’s West Coast in 2010 and extensive fibre-optic expansion efforts in Lagos. 

In 2013, MainOne installed a 27-kilometre fibre optic cable network covering Lagos’ Yaba area, known as Nigeria’s Silicon Valley. This investment attracted numerous tech startups to the area, facilitating the growth of Nigeria’s tech ecosystem and supporting firms like Andela, CcHUB, Paga, Hotels.ng, and Flutterwave.

The leadership transition occurs at an important time, as Equinix strengthens its efforts in the region following the recent inauguration of a data centre in Johannesburg. 

With Abu’s appointment, Equinix is focused on advancing connectivity and supporting West African enterprises with cutting-edge digital infrastructure. 

Elated about the role, Abu shared the vision of expanding digital access across Africa to facilitate economic inclusivity and support regional development. 

Equinix stated that Abu’s leadership would be key in facilitating partnerships with both local and international businesses, driving the growth of digital services throughout West Africa.

MainOne did not immediately respond to requests for comments on the leadership transition.

This pivotal event aims to address the digital infrastructure gaps across the continent by uniting key stakeholders—including operators, regulators, investors, and service providers—to work toward a unified goal for Africa’s digital future.

The conference seeks to bring together Africa’s digital infrastructure community, fostering collaboration and innovation across sectors such as data centres, connectivity, cloud services, and more.

Confirmed attendees include senior and executive representatives from major organizations such as Meta Platforms, Cassava Technologies, Equinix, IHS Towers, Airtel, Apolo.io, Open Access Data Centres, MTN, Analyses Mason, Xalam Analytics, inq, Avanti Communications Plc., Digital Realty, Raxio Group, and various state governments.

The event will feature keynote presentations, panel sessions, and fireside chats on critical themes, including: “Satellite, Subsea, and Terrestrial: Africa’s Path to Seamless and Integrated Connectivity”; “Regulatory Frameworks for Fostering Digital Infrastructure Development in Africa”; “Data Center and Cloud in Africa: The Journey to 2500MW”; “Funding Africa’s Digital Infrastructure: What is the Right Mix?”, and “The Talent Gap: Developing Sustainable Digital Talent for Africa”, among others.

Speakers at the conference include Kazeem Oladepo, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at IHS Towers; Dr. Ayotunde Coker, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Open Access Data Centres; Wole Abu, CEO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies; Sade Dada, Public Policy Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Meta Platforms; Josephine Sarouk, Managing Director (MD), Bayobab; and Olatubosun Alake, Honorable Commissioner, Innovation, Science and Technology, Lagos State. Other speakers include Lanre Kolade, Chairman, ConnectedCompute; Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty Nigeria; Bill Kleyman, CEO of Apolo/Program Chair, AFCOM and Data Center World; Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria; Dr. Krish Ranganath, Regional Executive- West Africa, Africa Data Centres; Wabo Majavu, Executive of Strategy and Business Operations at Africa Data Centre; Gbenga Adegbiji, CEO of Geniserve; Guy Zibi, Managing Partner of Xalam Analytics; Olusegun Maleghemi, CIO, Ouranos; Adewale Adeyemi, Head, Business Development; TeKnowledge; Adewole Adebisi, Head, Technical Operations, Raxio Group; Ifeanyi Akosionu, Managing Director, inq Digital; Dr. Hakeem Onasanya, Head, Startups (Lagos Innovates), LSETF; Olawale Owoeye, CEO, Cedarview Communications; Sameer Gupta, Principal, Analyses Mason; Femi Fajemirokun, Head, Information, Telecoms and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), West African Power Pool, and Reuben Oshomah, Regional Director, West and Central Africa, Avanti Communications Plc.

Ahead of the event, Kazeem Oladepo, Chief Operating Officer at IHS Towers, expressed enthusiasm: “The Hyperscalers Convergence Africa conference promises to be a valuable platform to discuss opportunities and address pressing challenges in the deployment of digital infrastructure. I believe this gathering will set the stage for new initiatives, partnerships, and solutions that will advance Africa’s digital transformation.”

Lanre Kolade, Chairman of ConnectedCompute and former Group Chief Executive Officer of CSquared, emphasized the role of innovation through partnerships: “We can build digital infrastructure expansion and resilience by collaborating and creating synergies to close infrastructure gaps and empower our digital economy with a pan-African collaboration.”

“As we grow Africa’s digital economy, the role of data centres becomes increasingly critical. At the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa conference, we have a unique opportunity to align our efforts and build out the infrastructure needed to support this growth.

“By aligning expanding carrier-neutral data centre capacity with robust pen access connectivity, we can unlock the potential for greater innovation and economic development and changing lives across the continent” commented Dr. Ayotunde Coker, Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centres.

The Hyperscalers Convergence Africa conference represents a critical step in bridging the digital infrastructure gap across Africa.

By bringing together influential leaders and innovators, this event will foster collaboration and drive the necessary conversations and actions to shape Africa’s digital future.

The insights and partnerships forged at this conference will be instrumental in unlocking new opportunities for growth, innovation, and sustainability in Africa’s digital economy.