Top 10: Data Centre Companies in Africa

Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating, powered by a rapidly expanding network of world-class data centres. 

The continent’s largest operators are setting new benchmarks in reliability, connectivity, and cloud neutrality, driving productivity and innovation across sectors from finance to entertainment. 

From South Africa’s established colocation giants to Nigeria’s bold pioneers and pan-African specialists, these Top 10 Data Centres in Africa are critical pillars sustaining millions of connected lives and businesses across the continent’s emerging digital economy.

10. N+ONE Datacenters

• Employees: ~77
• CEO: Amine Kandil
• Year founded: 2008
• Location: Morocco

N+ONE is Morocco’s leading carrier-neutral data centre operator, renowned for its Tier III facility in Casablanca. 

The company delivers advanced colocation, hosting and cloud services to Moroccan and global enterprises, emphasising uptime and mission-critical support. 

N+ONE’s highly secured infrastructure offers expert 24/7 management, robust connectivity, and efficient cooling and backup systems – making it a cornerstone for the country’s digital growth.

9. Rack Centre

• Employees: ~68
• CEO: Lars Christer Johannisson
• Year founded: 2012
• Location: Nigeria

According to its website, Rack Centre is Africa’s only carrier neutral Tier III Constructed Facility Certified data centre, based in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Boasting a market-leading ecosystem, it supports more than 40 telecom carriers and operates a new 12MW AI-ready facility. 

Rack Centre is recognised for its innovation, reliability and unyielding commitment to secure colocation and managed services, driving West Africa’s digital backbone.

8. Open Access Data Centres (OADC)

• Employees: ~60
• CEO: Ayotunde Coker
• Year founded: 2021
• Location: Mauritius

OADC, a WIOCC Group company, is deploying Africa’s fastest-growing network of Tier III hyperscale and edge data centres. 

The carrier- and cloud-neutral platform is pivotal for pan-African connectivity, with sites at cable landing stations and business hubs. 

OADC’s mission is to enable Africa’s digital ecosystem with reliable infrastructure, localised solutions, and ESG-driven operations supporting service providers and content companies across the continent.

7. NTT GDC (Global Data Centres, Africa)

• Employees: ~2,100 (NTT GDC total)
• CEO: Douglas Adams (NTT GDC)
• Year founded: 2018
• Location: South Africa

NTT’s Global Data Centres in Africa, a segment of the Japanese multinational, provides industry-leading colocation and cloud solutions. 

With hyperscale-ready infrastructure and a mature partner ecosystem, NTT has invested heavily in African connectivity, sustainability and skill development. 

Its Johannesburg campus anchors ambitious expansion across the continent, consolidating NTT’s stature in secure, hybrid-ready environments for AI, cloud and enterprise IT.

6. iXAfrica Data Centres

• Employees: ~43
• CEO: Snehar Shah
• Year founded: 2020
• Location: Kenya

As East Africa’s largest hyperscale, carrier-neutral, AI-ready data centre, iXAfrica operates out of Nairobi, Kenya. 

Its flagship campus delivers robust colocation, cloud and connectivity to telecoms and digital service providers. 

iXAfrica’s mission is to meet the region’s surging demand for edge and cloud computing, with future-forward power, cooling and network infrastructure designed for scale and resilience in emerging markets.

5. PAIX Data Centres

• Employees: ~79
• CEO: Hemen Shah
• Year founded: 2016
• Location: Pan-African footprint (Accra HQ – Dutch parent)

PAIX is a pan-African carrier- and cloud-neutral data centre provider, recognised among Africa’s fastest-growing companies. 

With hubs in Ghana, Kenya, Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal, PAIX delivers connectivity, colocation and cloud services to enterprises and service providers. 

Its growth is driven by a commitment to secure operations, resilience and interconnectivity, and strategic leadership shaping Africa’s digital landscape.

4. Raxio Group

• Employees: ~128
• CEO: Robert Skjødt
• Year founded: 2018
• Location: Pan-African (HQ in the Netherlands)

Raxio operates Africa’s most expansive network of Tier III carrier-neutral data centres, spanning Uganda to Ethiopia, Mozambique and Côte d’Ivoire. 

Raxio’s facilities form the backbone for connectivity, cloud, and enterprise IT in emerging economies. 

The group focuses on scaling responsibly, with sustainable practices and strategic expansion plans positioning it as a key enabler of Africa’s digital evolution.

3. MainOne (Equinix)

• Employees: ~399
• CEO: Wole Abu (Managing Director of West Africa at Equinix) 
• Year founded: 2010
• Location: Nigeria

Acquired by Equinix in 2022, MainOne underpins West Africa’s digital transformation with leading connectivity and data centre services. 

The company operates high-capacity cable and colocation facilities driving cloud integration and business innovation. 

MainOne’s Lagos campus is pivotal for fintech, media and enterprise markets, capitalising on Equinix’s global footprint while maintaining regional leadership in connectivity, reliability and network edge services.

2. Africa Data Centres

• Employees: ~143
• CEO: Adil El Youssefi
• Year founded: 2012
• Location: South Africa

Africa Data Centres is the continent’s largest interconnected, carrier and cloud-neutral data centre network, with presence across South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and more. 

The company is celebrated for its state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities, supporting hyperscale cloud providers, global carriers, and African enterprises. 

With strategic investments from Cassava Technologies, ADC is leading the rise of Africa’s digital economy – championing secure, resilient and connected infrastructure for tomorrow’s markets.

1. Teraco (Digital Realty)

• Employees: ~392
• CEO: Jan Hnizdo 
• Year founded: 2008
• Location: South Africa

Teraco, majority-owned by Digital Realty, stands as Africa’s largest and most advanced carrier-neutral colocation provider. 

With unmatched network density and resilient infrastructure, Teraco underpins South Africa’s enterprise and cloud backbone, attracting hyperscalers, telecoms and global corporations. 

Its world-class, sustainable environments set a benchmark for reliability and digital transformation, with deep ties into the global cloud and data centre community via Digital Realty’s platform. 

Teraco leads by combining robust local expertise with global connectivity and transformation across the continent.