Chris Wood, CEO of the West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) Group, discusses the company’s unwavering commitment to Africa’s digital infrastructure, strategies to combat subsea cable outages, and its vision for the continent’s technological future.
For over 15 years, WIOCC has played a pivotal role in Africa’s digital evolution, solidifying its reputation as a key enabler of connectivity. Since its establishment in 2008, the company has invested more than $500 million in digital infrastructure to support the wholesale telecommunications community across Africa.
“We are a fibre-pair owner on the Equiano and 2Africa cable systems and a major operator on all other subsea networks serving Africa,” Wood stated, emphasizing the company’s strategic presence in the region.
Beyond subsea cables, WIOCC has made significant strides in terrestrial infrastructure development. The company operates six core data centers and over 30 edge data centers across key markets, including South Africa, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With more than 250 points of presence, WIOCC provides critical connectivity hubs, enabling seamless digital interactions across the continent.
WIOCC’s influence extends beyond infrastructure development, as it continues to drive innovation in service delivery. “Our integrated digital infrastructure solutions empower cloud operators, content providers, telecom companies, ISPs, and enterprises to scale their businesses more efficiently and cost-effectively,” Wood explained. The company’s open-access solutions cover the entire telecommunications value chain, from metro fibre to international connectivity.
As Africa’s data consumption continues to surge, the need for scalable infrastructure presents unique challenges. However, WIOCC remains undeterred, unveiling plans to invest an additional $500 million over the next five years to expand its network, enhance capacity, and improve route diversity. “This investment will enable our clients to deliver more resilient solutions to their customers,” Wood said.
Recognizing the importance of bridging the digital divide, WIOCC is actively expanding its data centre capacity and introducing new facilities to reach underserved regions. “We are committed to helping more Africans access world-class technology to build better lives, better businesses, and a better world,” Wood added.
ALSO READ: VODACOM REPORTS STRONG FINTECH GROWTH, VODAFONE EGYPT’S FINANCIAL SERVICES REVENUE SURGES
In its pursuit of digital excellence, WIOCC recently launched Open Access Technical Services (OATS) in late 2023. This initiative allows clients to deploy infrastructure in Africa without the need for local operations. “OATS is a key growth area for us, enabling our clients to focus on their core business while we manage their network and infrastructure needs,” Wood highlighted.
Additionally, WIOCC is pioneering an Africa-led interconnection platform aimed at transforming how enterprises and service providers deliver scalable and secure interconnection solutions. “This initiative will redefine connectivity on the continent,” Wood stated.
With its ongoing investments and innovative solutions, WIOCC is set to remain at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation, driving connectivity, scalability, and growth across the continent.
Source: Capacity