Equinix, Inc. revealed plans to open a new high-performance data centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
The $22 million LG3 facility represents the first phase of an ambitious investment initiative totaling approximately $100 million aimed at transforming Africa’s digital landscape over the next two years. Scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2026, the new data centre will provide critical infrastructure that empowers local businesses to expand and attracts international companies to Nigeria, a strategic hub for global connectivity.
The Lagos facility will incorporate Equinix Fabric, allowing businesses to securely connect their physical and virtual infrastructure to cloud providers, partners, and other companies across Equinix’s extensive global network. This integration will enable seamless interconnectivity, fostering growth and innovation within Nigeria and the wider African region.
Wole Abu, Managing Director for West Africa at Equinix, emphasised the significance of LG3 in bridging Africa’s digital divide. He highlighted Lagos’s emergence as a nexus of talent, innovation, and connectivity, noting that the new facility will accelerate access to cutting-edge technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence, supporting the growth of startups and established enterprises alike. Abu stressed that Equinix is not merely constructing data centres but actively fostering economic growth, innovation, and interconnectedness across Africa.
Olawale Owoeye, Managing Director at Cedarview, expressed confidence that the Lagos data centre will provide a resilient platform for his company’s digital expansion. He underscored the importance of reliable infrastructure and global connectivity in enabling high-performance solutions and maintaining a competitive edge in Africa’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, boasts a vibrant, tech-savvy population. Lagos stands out as a key player in Africa’s digital transformation, recognised as the only African city in the Global Top 100 Startup Ecosystems. Aslıhan Güreşcier, Vice President of EMEA Growth & Emerging Markets at Equinix, highlighted the region’s accelerating digital shift driven by a young population, rising internet access, and growing demand for secure data infrastructure. She noted that the Lagos data centre underscores Equinix’s commitment to supporting growth across Africa with world-class, carrier-neutral data centres that connect the continent to global markets.
Since entering the African market in 2022, Equinix has expanded its footprint to include Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire. The company also launched its first data centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, strengthening its presence on the continent and accelerating Africa’s digital transformation by providing sustainable, reliable infrastructure. Nigeria’s strategic position as a hub for international subsea cables linking Africa with Europe, Asia, and beyond further enhances the region’s connectivity potential.
Equinix remains dedicated to responsible operations, prioritising sustainability and environmental efficiency across all its sites, including the upcoming LG3 data centre. Through these investments, Equinix aims to support Africa’s digital future while maintaining its commitment to reducing environmental impact worldwide.
