That was the consensus at the Hyperscalers Convergence Africa conference in Lagos, where industry executives said the country’s power ecosystem is evolving to meet hyperscale and AI-era demand.

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

During the sessions on Data Center and Energy, speakers – including Guy Zibi, Managing Partner at Xalam Analytics; Johnson Agogbua, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) 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; Karim Amer, Head of IP Business for North, West, and Central Africa at Nokia; Tola Talabi, Chief Executive Officer of Elektron Energy; Wole Adeoti, Head Operations at Digital Realty; Gbenga Adegbiji, CEO, Geniserve and Diana, Senior Associate and Energy Policy Expert at George Etomi & Partners – shared critical insights on power, regulation, and investment in Africa’s data economy.

“Power isn’t scarce,” said Johnson Agogbua, CEO of Kasi Cloud Data Centers. “The challenge is reliable delivery and quality. We’re investing in redundancy to make sure every megawatt reaches the rack.” Kasi Cloud is currently developing a 100-megawatt hyperscale campus in Lekki, powered by a private 132-kilovolt substation and a 60-megawatt transformer.

Roger Shutte of MTN Nigeria echoed that sentiment. “Power is not a problem; it’s just a challenge,” he said.

This was reiterated by Tola Talabi, CEO of Elektron Energy, who added that Africa’s power challenge should now be viewed as an opportunity rather than a constraint.

“Power is not just a challenge – it’s an opportunity,” he said. “When developers and investors deploy capital, data centers are our most compelling customers. They provide the stable, long-term demand we need to make projects bankable.”

Talabi revealed that Elektron Energy is currently developing a $50 million Independent Power Project (IPP) in Victoria Island, designed to take much of the district off the national grid and provide reliable embedded power to multiple data centers.

“Data centers make the commercial case for investment in power stronger – they are the base load that anchors wider energy availability,” he said.

From a policy perspective, Diana, a legal practitioner and energy policy expert, said reforms under the Electricity Act 2023 could accelerate investment if states act decisively.

“State electricity markets could become critical,” she said. “They can create localized, bankable frameworks that attract investors and ensure returns.”

Despite lingering challenges, the tone across the panel was optimistic. “We’ve solved scarcity,” speakers concluded. “Now it’s about reliability, sustainability, and scale.”

Hyperscalers Convergence Africa 2025 was convened by Africa Hyperscalers and sponsored by Nokia, Open Access Data Centres (OADC), IHS Towers, Vertiv, Equinix, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

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The session featured insights from Funke Opeke, the Managing Director of MainOne; Johnson Agogbua, CEO of Kasi Cloud Datacenters; Josephine Sarouk, MD of Bayobab Nigeria; and Darren Bedford, Group Chief Development Officer, WIOCC, represented by Nikki Popoola, Sales Director at WIOCC.

Dewole Ajao, Global Network Acquisition expert from Google, skillfully moderated the conversation, extracting valuable insights from each ngPIF panelists.

Johnson Agogbua, CEO of Kasi Cloud Datacenters, opened the dialogue, shedding light on the intricate landscape of digital infrastructure in Nigeria. He eloquently emphasized, “Nigeria is a difficult but immensely rewarding market… punching above its weight, with almost 30% of internet traffic in Africa.” Agogbua pinpointed the challenges, including power supply and economic policies, stressing the need for streamlined processes. 

He noted, “Digital infrastructure costs money,” highlighting the importance of stable economic policies for investors.

Funke Opeke, the Managing Director of MainOne, provided valuable insights into the regulatory hurdles faced in Nigeria compared to smaller markets. 

She remarked, “Dealing with government for permits, licenses, and regulations has its challenges.” 

Opeke passionately advocated for a unified digital network, envisioning, “a robust shared digital network fibre that cuts across every local government, every community, across the country.” 

Her vision highlighted open access, shared costs, and shared operations, emphasizing inclusivity and comprehensive connectivity.

Josephine Sarouk, the MD of Bayobab Nigeria, highlighted the keyrole of partnerships between the private sector and the government. She stated, “We can’t do it without partnerships,” emphasizing the need for collaboration. Sarouk stressed uniformity in rights of way, advocating for consistent policies across states. Her fervent plea was to transform digital infrastructure into government assets, ensuring protection against vandalism and bolstering the security of vital fibre routes.

Nikki Popoola, the Sales Director at WIOCC, echoed the sentiments of partnership and accessibility. She emphasized the importance of affordable internet services, asserting, “It needs to be cost-effective… if it’s not affordable, what’s the point?” Popoola shared her dream, aiming to replicate South Africa’s success in Nigeria. Her vision encompassed collaboration and standardized infrastructure development, creating an inclusive digital landscape.

The panel discussion illuminated the challenges and aspirations within Nigeria’s digital infrastructure sphere. Each ngPIF panelists emphasized the urgency and determination in the sector. 

Their shared vision revolved around streamlined regulations, standardized processes, and collaborative efforts between public and private sectors. Their collective mission? 

To transform Nigeria into a digitally connected powerhouse, where opportunities are boundless and inclusivity is paramount.

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