Equinix, one of the world’s leading digital infrastructure company, has announced plans to build a new $22 million data center in Lagos, Nigeria — its first newly constructed facility in West Africa. The new site, named LG3, represents the first phase of a broader $100 million Africa investment plan aimed at accelerating the continent’s digital transformation over the next two years. Scheduled to open in Q1 2026, the facility will enhance connectivity, enable secure cloud access, and attract international businesses seeking a foothold in Africa’s largest digital economy.
A milestone for West Africa’s digital infrastructure
LG3 will integrate Equinix Fabric, the company’s software-defined interconnection platform that allows businesses to connect seamlessly with cloud service providers and partners worldwide. This capability will link Nigerian enterprises directly to Equinix’s global ecosystem of over 270 data centers across more than 70 metropolitan areas.
According to Wole Abu, Managing Director for West Africa at Equinix, the new data center represents more than just infrastructure investment.
“LG3 marks a significant milestone in Equinix’s long-term 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.
The project reinforces Nigeria’s strategic importance in the global data economy. Lagos, now recognized as the only African city on the Global Top 100 Startup Ecosystems list, sits at the nexus of innovation, entrepreneurship, and international connectivity. Nigeria’s population of over 200 million — youthful, mobile-first, and digitally engaged — provides fertile ground for such investments.
Expanding Africa’s digital footprint
Equinix entered the African market in 2022 and has since established a presence in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa. The Lagos expansion follows the launch of its first African data center in Johannesburg last year, signaling Equinix’s intent to build a pan-African digital network that connects businesses, content providers, and cloud operators across the continent.
Aslıhan Güreşcier, Vice President for EMEA Growth and Emerging Markets at Equinix, highlighted the company’s broader mission:
“Africa’s digital transformation is accelerating, driven by a young population, rising internet access, and increasing demand for secure data infrastructure. With the opening of our newest data center in Lagos, we are proud to invest in this dynamic region, supporting customers’ growth with world-class data centers that power everything from banking and education to emergency services and commerce.”
The company’s investments also tie into Nigeria’s growing role as a hub for global subsea cable connections, linking Africa with Europe, Asia, and the Americas — a crucial factor for low-latency connectivity and data sovereignty.
MTN and Airtel’s parallel digital infrastructure push
Equinix’s investment aligns with similar efforts by Nigerian telecom giants MTN Nigeria and Airtel Africa, both of which are expanding their digital infrastructure portfolios to strengthen the country’s cloud and data ecosystem.
MTN Nigeria, through its MTN Data Centres (MDXi) and Cloud Service initiatives, has been enhancing data hosting and edge computing capabilities. In 2024, MTN announced plans to expand its Lekki Data Center and upgrade infrastructure for enterprise customers in fintech, e-commerce, and health sectors. The company’s 5G rollout and fiber network expansion further complement data center growth, supporting faster, low-latency access for cloud applications and financial services.
Similarly, Airtel Africa has accelerated its digital transformation agenda, investing heavily in data centers, network modernization, and cloud services through its Nxtra by Airtel initiative. The company has announced plans to build green data centers across key African markets, including Nigeria, to power its enterprise and consumer cloud offerings. Airtel’s focus on sustainable, energy-efficient data centers reflects the industry’s shift toward eco-friendly infrastructure, reducing carbon footprints while meeting rising demand for storage and processing capacity.
Toward a connected, sustainable Africa
Equinix’s LG3 development complements these telco-driven initiatives, collectively positioning Nigeria as West Africa’s data and connectivity hub. The convergence of global players like Equinix with local operators such as MTN and Airtel signifies a maturing ecosystem, where data sovereignty, latency reduction, and cloud adoption are central to national growth.
Beyond technology, Equinix’s investment is designed around sustainability. The company commits to responsible construction and operations, integrating energy efficiency and renewable sourcing across its global facilities. LG3 is expected to adhere to these sustainability standards, contributing to Nigeria’s evolving green digital economy.
As the African digital revolution gathers pace, the arrival of Equinix’s LG3 facility is not just an investment milestone — it’s a signal of confidence in Nigeria’s role as a continental data powerhouse. Together with telcos like MTN and Airtel, the initiative is laying the groundwork for a resilient, interconnected, and inclusive digital Africa.
