Lagos is set to benefit from a $240 million investment as Open Access Data Centres, a subsidiary of WIOCC Group, moves to expand its data centre in Lekki. The project aims to upgrade the facility to a 24-megawatt capacity by 2027, serving as the landing station for Google’s Equiano subsea cable in Nigeria.
Currently operating at 1.5MW, the Lagos data centre became operational two months ago. OADC has outlined a two-phase expansion plan, with the first 12MW expected to be completed within 18 months. The investment forms part of a broader $500 million initiative announced in 2021 to enhance data infrastructure across Africa.
Speaking in Lagos, OADC’s Chief Executive Officer, Ayotunde Coker, emphasized the company’s commitment to deepening its investments in Nigeria and across the continent.
“One-megawatt capacity of a data centre costs about $10 million. We are building 24 megawatts, which is about $240 million – a huge investment,” Coker stated.
The expansion will be financed by international partners, including the International Finance Corporation and Proparco, a subsidiary of the Agence Française de Développement Group. The financing is structured as a sustainability-linked debt, tied to WIOCC’s energy efficiency targets and EDGE green building certification.
Coker noted that OADC aims to establish itself as a data hub for West Africa. The Lagos facility, a Tier III-certified centre, features a 33,000-volt power supply and an 11kV distribution network, ensuring dedicated transformers and power distribution rooms per phase.
As part of its growth strategy, OADC is also considering further expansion into Nigeria and other African markets, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa.
One of the key challenges in developing hyperscale data centres is securing a reliable power supply. To address this, OADC has devised a multi-faceted energy strategy, integrating traditional and renewable energy sources. The facility will initially connect to Eko Electricity Distribution Company’s dedicated transmission line, with plans for a second link from the HR substation to ensure redundancy and reliability.
The company is also exploring Independent Power Producer solutions using gas-based energy to reduce reliance on diesel generators. Additionally, renewable energy options such as hydroelectric and solar power are being considered through power-wheeling arrangements, a model already in use at OADC’s South African facilities.
With data demand rising across Africa, OADC’s expansion aligns with the growing need for cloud computing, AI processing, and improved internet access. The company currently operates data centres in Lagos, Kinshasa, and multiple locations in South Africa, positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s digital infrastructure development.
