WATCH | IXPs and data centres: powering SA’s digital future

Though digitisation is already transforming African economies in several ways, the continent’s digital journey is still in its infancy. 

Business leaders have a pivotal role to play in advancing this journey through managed end-to-end digital connectivity solutions that will provide opportunities for Africans to build the businesses they want now and in the future.

By offering enhanced efficiency and increased affordability, solutions such as internet exchange points (IXPs) and sophisticated data centres can ignite business transformation, enabling African countries to become essential players in the global economy.

Maximising Africa’s potential

The importance of IXPs and data centres in powering SA’s digital future was unpacked during Connect Africa, a Business Day Dialogue hosted in association with Open Access Data Centres (OADC).

Dr Ayotunde Coker, CEO of OADC and chair of the Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA), an influential industry group, led the conversation.

“This is a dynamic period for business in Africa, with transformation driving rapid expansion of the continent’s digital infrastructure,” said Coker.

“For the first time, Africa has the opportunity to leapfrog the world, maximise its potential and deliver economic growth by providing a digital infrastructure that will attract further inward investment, as well as enable local organisations to take full advantage of pan-African and global opportunities.”

The discussion was guided by Aki Anastasiou, one of SA’s foremost futurists and technology influencers. He is known for his passion for innovation and digital transformation and their profound effects on both global citizens and businesses.

Watch the recording of the Connect Africa event (above) to discover the latest trends and advancements in IXPs, data centres and connectivity infrastructure, and find out more about the impact of broadband penetration on GDP growth, among other things.

This article was sponsored by OADC.