Expanding Internet Presence in Southern Nigeria: Equinix Announces $140 Million Investment
In a significant move to address the unequal distribution of digital infrastructure in Nigeria, global data center provider Equinix has announced a $140 million investment to strengthen internet connectivity across southern Nigeria over the next two years. This investment follows Equinix's acquisition of MainOne in 2022, marking the company's entry into the West African market.
Equinix's strategy in Nigeria is not limited to its largest city, Lagos, but extends across the country. The company is actively expanding its digital infrastructure beyond Lagos, with plans for multiple new facilities and capacity upgrades. The LG3 and LG4 data centers, located 15 kilometers and approximately 100 kilometers from the existing campus in Lagos respectively, are concrete examples of this growth. LG4, set to launch in 2027, is expected to be even larger.
The investment also includes the launch of Equinix PR1, the company's first data center in Port Harcourt. This facility will serve as the first Nigerian landing station for Meta's 2Africa submarine cable, dramatically increasing bandwidth capacity in the region. Nigeria now hosts eight submarine cable landings, including Google's Equiano and Meta's 2Africa, offering design capacities exceeding 100 Tbps.
Equinix's expansion in Nigeria is seen as critical to achieving the goal of the Broadband Alliance, an initiative launched by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to develop a national fiber backbone. The ministry aims to increase broadband penetration to 70% by 2025, but as of January 2025, penetration remains at just 45%.
The investments will not only support Nigeria's tech hub in Yaba but also aim to expand outside Lagos as Equinix grows its infrastructure footprint to support the country's fast technology proliferation and broader regional industrialization. This aligns with Nigeria's vision of fostering digital transformation and technology-driven economic development.
Equinix's goal is to support telcos, ISPs, cloud providers, fintech, enterprises, and other digital ecosystem players by enhancing interconnection services and data center capacity. The company operates over 260 International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers in 74 metropolitan areas globally.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria needs an additional 95,000 kilometers of fiber to achieve full nationwide coverage, up from the existing 35,000 kilometers. The launch of Equinix PR1 in Port Harcourt will contribute to the geographic diversification of digital infrastructure in Nigeria, bridging the digital divide and fostering a more connected and inclusive digital economy.
Equinix's expansion encompasses more than just Lagos, extending its digital infrastructure across Nigeria with plans for multiple new facilities and capacity upgrades beyond the city. The company's strategy includes the launch of Equinix PR1, a new data center in Port Harcourt, which will be Nigeria's first landing station for Meta's 2Africa submarine cable, enhancing cloud connectivity and technology proliferation in the region.
