Author: Akin Naphtal

Raxio Group has secured $100 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to accelerate the expansion of its Sub-Saharan African regional data centre platform. The funding will enable Raxio to double its colocation data centre deployments within the next three years, responding to the growing demand for AI and cloud services across markets such as Ethiopia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Scaling Digital Infrastructure in AfricaRobert Skjødt, CEO of Raxio Group, emphasized the importance of financing in bridging Africa’s digital divide. “This funding will allow Raxio to bring digital infrastructure to the regions that need…

AMD has finalized its acquisition of hyperscale server manufacturer ZT Systems for $4.9 billion, following a $1 billion investment the chipmaker previously made. ZT Systems’ U.S.-based data center infrastructure manufacturing business is expected to be sold off later this year, with AMD currently in discussions with multiple strategic partners. The company designs, integrates, manufactures, and deploys servers for major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, generating an estimated $10 billion in annual revenue and delivering hundreds of thousands of servers each year. A Strategic Move in AI and Data CentersWith the acquisition, ZT Systems will operate…

HabariPay, the fintech arm of Guaranty Trust Holding Co Plc (GTCO), has posted an impressive N3.8 billion (over $2.4m) profit after tax in 2024, marking a significant milestone in its expansion within the financial technology space. The company’s full-year 2024 financial results, released over the weekend, revealed a 23% growth in gross revenue, reaching N5.8 billion, up from N4.7 billion in 2023. The surge was driven by strong performance across all key income lines, reinforcing fintech’s growing influence in Nigeria’s digital economy. GTCO’s Fintech Play Gains MomentumAs competition in Nigeria’s fintech sector intensifies, GTCO emphasized that HabariPay is emerging as…

Vertiv, a leading provider of critical digital infrastructure, has launched the Vertiv PowerDirect Rack, a high-density 1U 50V DC power system shelf designed to meet the rising power demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) applications. The new modular system delivers up to 132kW per rack, offering twice the power capacity within the same footprint compared to conventional solutions. With flexible AC and HVDC input support, real-time monitoring, and a peak energy conversion efficiency of 97.5%, the PowerDirect Rack enhances power management while minimizing energy waste and operational costs. Optimized for Scalability and EfficiencyThe PowerDirect Rack is designed…

OpenAI has broadened access to its powerful image-generation tool, making it available to all users, a feature that was previously restricted to paying subscribers. The move was announced by CEO Sam Altman in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “ChatGPT mage gen now rolled out to all free users!” Altman stated . While the exact number of free-tier image generations remains unspecified, Altman previously suggested that non-paying users might be limited to three images per day. Surging Demand and AI CapabilitiesSince its launch, OpenAI’s image-generation tool has witnessed a surge in demand, with Altman humorously remarking that the high usage…

Digital Realty has officially opened FRA18, a state-of-the-art data centre located within the former Neckermann headquarters in Frankfurt, making it Germany’s first data centre housed in a historically preserved building. Situated within the Digital Park Fechenheim campus, FRA18 offers 8,200 square metres of colocation space and an IT capacity of 16 megawatts (MW), designed to support high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. The centre opens with an initial capacity of 6.4MW, with 9.6MW planned for future phases. The facility features advanced liquid cooling technology and integrates ServiceFabric™, enabling customers to access SCION (Scalability, Control, and Isolation On Next-Generation…

Emma Theofelus, recently reappointed as Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by President H.E. Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is a pioneering leader shaping the nation’s digital future. Her tenure is marked by a commitment to advancing government communications and fostering national digital transformation. Born on March 28, 1996, Theofelus made history as the youngest woman government minister in both Namibia and Africa. Her journey in public service began in 2020 when, at just 23 years old, she was appointed Deputy Minister of ICT, making her Namibia’s youngest Member of Parliament and Africa’s youngest minister. In this role, she played…

Paystack, a leading payment technology company, has unveiled Zap, its first consumer-focused application designed to make bank transfers faster and more convenient. The company’s CEO, Sola Akinlade, announced the launch during a special event Unlike traditional neo-banks, Zap allows users to link their existing bank accounts to facilitate quick transfers. According to Akinlade, the app was developed to ensure bank transfers are completed in under 30 seconds, focusing solely on enhancing transfer speed and efficiency. “We wanted to create a product that allows Nigerians to start and finish bank transfers in under 30 seconds,” Akinlade explained during the launch event.…

Rack Centre, a leading carrier-neutral data center operator, is set to commission its new 12-megawatt Lagos data hub on April 10, 2025, in a move that marks a significant milestone for West Africa’s digital infrastructure. The $120 million Tier III facility, known as LGS2, will expand Rack Centre’s capacity to meet the increasing demand for data services in Nigeria and across the region. The commissioning ceremony will host Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, among other key industry stakeholders. The LGS2 data centre will add 3,240 square meters of white…

Visa has announced plans to establish a data center infrastructure in Nigeria, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the country’s growing digital economy. The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to the State House in Abuja by Mr. Andrew Torre, Visa’s Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA). Torre highlighted Visa’s substantial investments in Nigeria and its plans to introduce advanced technologies to enhance digital payment solutions. “Visa has been making investments and will continue to make these investments in Nigeria. The planned data center infrastructure will bring new technologies that will strengthen the…