Joy Agwunobi
Global digital infrastructure giant, Equinix Inc., has announced plans to establish a new state-of-the-art data center in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of its broader strategy to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
The $22 million facility, tagged LG3, represents the first phase of a two-year investment plan valued at approximately $100 million, aimed at expanding the company’s footprint and strengthening digital connectivity across the continent.
Scheduled to commence operations in the first quarter of 2026, the LG3 data center is expected to deliver critical infrastructure that will enable local enterprises to scale more efficiently, attract global businesses into Nigeria’s fast-growing tech ecosystem, and position Lagos as a central hub for international connectivity.
Equinix said the Lagos project will feature its proprietary Equinix Fabric technology,an interconnection platform that allows businesses to securely link their physical and virtual infrastructures to cloud service providers, partners, and global enterprises across Equinix’s network of over 270 data centers worldwide.
According to Wole Abu, managing director for West Africa at Equinix, the project reflects the company’s long-term commitment to bridging Africa’s digital divide and empowering innovation across sectors.
“LG3 marks a significant milestone in Equinix’s commitment to bridging Africa’s digital divide. As Lagos emerges at the crossroads of talent, innovation, and global connectivity, this facility is accelerating access to technologies like cloud, AI, and the next wave of startups,” Abu said, adding “We’re not just building data centers; we’re fostering growth, empowering innovation, and laying the groundwork for an interconnected African economy ready to lead on the global stage.”
Olawale Owoeye, managing director at Cedarview, one of the company’s partners, also highlighted the significance of the investment, describing it as a critical step in strengthening digital resilience and business expansion across the continent.
“The Lagos data center will provide us with the robust and resilient platform our customers demand to expand our digital footprint.The unparalleled reliability and access to a global ecosystem empower us to deliver high-performance solutions to our customers, and the new LG3 data center is key to ensuring we remain at the forefront of connecting Africa,” Owoeye said.
Equinix’s investment comes at a time when Nigeria, the second-largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa is rapidly establishing itself as a digital powerhouse. With a youthful, tech-savvy population and Lagos recognised as Africa’s only city ranked among the Global Top 100 Startup Ecosystems, the country offers a strategic gateway for global digital expansion.
Aslıhan Güreşcier, vice president for EMEA Growth and emerging markets at Equinix, noted that the move underscores the company’s confidence in the continent’s digital potential.
“Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating, driven by a young population, rising internet access, and increasing demand for secure data infrastructure,” Güreşcier said, adding “With the opening of our newest data center in Lagos, Equinix is proud to invest in this dynamic region, supporting our customers’ growth with world-class facilities that power everything from banking and education to emergency services and commerce.”
Since entering the African market in 2022, Equinix has steadily expanded its regional presence, with operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, and last year launched its first data center in Johannesburg, South Africa. These strategic investments, the company said, reinforce its mission to build sustainable, carrier-neutral infrastructure that connects Africa seamlessly with the rest of the world.
Leveraging Nigeria’s geographic position as a hub for global subsea cable networks linking Africa to Europe and Asia, Equinix plans to use LG3 as a cornerstone for enhancing digital trade, cloud computing, and cross-border data exchange.
The company also reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability, noting that all its sites, including LG3, are being developed with a strong focus on energy efficiency, reduced carbon footprint, and responsible resource management.
