South Africa’s digital infrastructure provider, Host Africa, has announced its acquisition of Nigerian web hosting company GO54, formerly known as WhoGoHost. This strategic move underscores Host Africa’s ambitions to expand its footprint across Africa and position itself as a key player in the continent’s growing digital services sector.
The deal, finalized through a Sale of Asset Agreement, involves the transfer of GO54’s intellectual property, goodwill, contracts, equipment, domains, and other operational assets to Host Africa Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary registered in October 2024. This acquisition enables Host Africa to offer web hosting, cloud services, and domain registration solutions tailored to the Nigerian market.
Host Africa’s decision to acquire GO54 was motivated by the latter’s steady revenue growth, diverse customer base, and robust portfolio of over 13,000 hosting accounts and 25,000 active domains. These attributes promise predictable cash flows and sustainable growth potential for the South African company. Moreover, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has endorsed the transaction, citing its potential to enhance online adoption, foster local tech talent, and provide affordable digital solutions to Nigerian consumers.
GO54’s rebranding in March 2024, which shifted its focus from a solely Nigerian presence to pan-African ambitions, aligns with Host Africa’s vision for continental expansion. The name “GO54” symbolizes the company’s goal of serving businesses across Africa’s 54 countries. Despite the acquisition, GO54’s legacy as Nigeria’s largest web hosting company, founded in 2006 by Opeyemi Awoyemi, remains central to its identity.
This is not Host Africa’s first foray into Nigeria. The Cape Town-based company previously acquired DomainKing in 2021 and Naijawebhost in mid-2024. Its acquisitions extend beyond Nigeria, including Sasahost, a Kenyan hosting provider, in late 2023.
Michael Osterloh, Host Africa’s founder, brings expertise from his tenure as Managing Director at Deutsche Börse Cloud Exchange AG, one of Germany’s largest virtual server providers. Under his leadership, Host Africa has developed a reputation for innovative cloud server solutions and strategic acquisitions to strengthen its market presence.
With this latest acquisition, Host Africa aims to transform GO54’s assets into a comprehensive digital platform, meeting the needs of individuals, enterprises, and corporations across Nigeria. The move signifies a broader strategy to cement its position as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.
