Meta Strengthens Africa’s Digital Infrastructure
Meta is accelerating its investment in Africa’s digital infrastructure, backing new data centres and subsea cables to expand internet access and support the continent’s rapidly growing online population.
Speaking in Lagos at the launch of Digital Realty’s third Lagos data centre (LKK2), Meta’s Edge Strategy Manager, Ben Ryall, emphasised that reliable connectivity is critical to unlocking economic growth, financial inclusion, and social development across Africa.
LKK2 Data Centre: A Boost for Nigeria’s Digital Economy
The LKK2 facility, located in Lekki, delivers nearly 2MW of installed IT capacity across 13,000 square feet. It connects seamlessly with LKK1, home to the 2Africa subsea cable landing station, giving businesses access to more than 46 landing points across 33 countries in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
This makes Nigeria a key hub for international connectivity, supporting enterprises and driving innovation.
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury. As people get used to faster speeds and richer experiences, the demand for reliable infrastructure will only intensify,” Ryall said.
Scaling Africa’s Connectivity
With Africa’s population projected to reach 2.1 billion by 2050, Meta sees its youthful demographic as both a challenge and an opportunity.
Ryall described Sub-Saharan Africa as “the last continent” in the global mission to connect the unconnected. He highlighted the rise of mobile money as a direct outcome of improved internet penetration.
Meta’s 2Africa subsea cable—landing in multiple Nigerian cities—aims to:
- Reduce reliance on single cable systems
- Improve redundancy and resilience
- Scale up internet capacity across the continent
Combined with new data centres like LKK2, the project is designed to create a stronger digital backbone for services such as:
- Online education
- Telemedicine
- E-commerce
- Social networking
Meta also confirmed plans to expand infrastructure investments beyond Nigeria, into Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and other underserved African markets.
“Our goal is to build open, sustainable, and resilient digital infrastructure that unlocks Africa’s potential,” Ryall added.
Digital Realty’s Expansion in Africa
The launch of LKK2 also underscores Digital Realty’s long-term commitment to Africa’s digital growth.
The facility integrates with ServiceFabric, the company’s global interconnection platform, and connects to LOS1 (the region’s largest internet peering point) and LOS2 (its highly connected Victoria Island data centre).
These interconnected assets will deliver resilience, redundancy, and low-latency connectivity for enterprises expanding into Nigeria’s digital economy.
“LKK2 is a significant milestone in our journey to support digital transformation in Africa. Our continued investment in Nigeria and the broader African region reinforces our commitment to enabling seamless global interconnectivity,” said Ikechukwu Nnamani, Managing Director of Digital Realty in Nigeria.
What You Should Know
- First announced in 2020, the 45,000 km Africa undersea cable is the world’s largest subsea cable system.
- The cable fully encircles Africa and has two landing points in Nigeria: Lagos and Kwa Ibo in the southeast.
- The project is owned by eight international partners, including:
- Meta
- Bayobab (formerly MTN GlobalConnect)
- China Mobile International
- Orange
- stc (center3)
- Telecom Egypt
- Vodafone
- WIOCC
Key Takeaway
Meta’s ongoing data centre and subsea cable investments signal its ambition to make Africa one of the most digitally connected regions in the world. With initiatives like 2Africa and LKK2, Nigeria is rapidly emerging as a regional hub for internet infrastructure, driving economic opportunities and digital inclusion across the continent.
