Africa is powering up its digital future, and Lagos is hitting the accelerator. Global digital infrastructure leader Equinix, Inc. has announced a $22 million investment in its new high-performance LG3 data center, marking the first phase of a $100 million expansion plan aimed at transforming the continent’s technology landscape. The center is set to open in Q1 2026, promising to redefine connectivity and digital services across Africa.
But LG3 is more than just a server hub. Equinix describes it as a next-generation interconnection ecosystem, where businesses, startups, and governments can connect, scale, and operate with ultra-low latency. The facility will feature Equinix Fabric, a global platform linking physical and virtual infrastructures across more than 70 markets, enabling secure, real-time connections between Africa and the rest of the world.
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“Lagos is more than a destination — it’s a statement for the future,” said Wole Abu, Managing Director for West Africa at Equinix. “With LG3, we’re not just closing the digital gap — we’re inverting it. Lagos is ready to become Africa’s technology hub, where cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and the next generation of startups drive innovation and economic growth.” LG3 is designed as a state-of-the-art, modular, and neutral data center, built to support AI-driven infrastructure, edge computing, and advanced automation. Its architecture enables African companies to directly connect with global digital service providers, ensuring speed, security, and cyber-resilience at an international scale.
For Olawale Owoeye, CEO of Cedarview, the announcement signals Lagos’ emerging technological leadership: “LG3 provides the robust, scalable infrastructure our business needs to compete globally. Lagos is no longer just consuming technology — it’s exporting it.” Since entering the African market in 2022, Equinix has expanded across Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa, cementing its role as a backbone of Africa’s modern internet infrastructure. The company’s facilities operate with energy-efficient systems and AI-driven automation, minimizing environmental impact while maximizing reliability.
“Africa’s digital transformation is no longer a promise — it’s happening now,” emphasized Aslıhan Güreşcier, Vice President of Growth and Emerging Markets for EMEA at Equinix. “LG3 positions Lagos as a technological laboratory where next-generation solutions — from digital banking to connected education — are developed and deployed.” Nigeria, the second-largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, is home to a young, tech-savvy population. Lagos, recognized as the only African city among the world’s top 100 startup ecosystems, is a natural innovation hub, strategically linked by submarine cables connecting Africa to Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
