We’re living in a world increasingly driven by digital innovation, and Africa stands at a crossroads of opportunity. The continent is brimming with potential, yet much of it remains untapped due to a significant yet understandable challenge for a continent three times the size of Europe: limited internet infrastructure. According to a report by the International Telecommunication Union, only 37% of the African population had internet access in 2023.
This digital divide threatens to slow down economic growth and stifle opportunities across the region. However, some companies are rising to the challenge, determined to bridge this gap and unlock Africa’s digital future. WIOCC, a leading wholesale connectivity provider, is one of them, and their strategic partnership with Telehouse is testament to what’s possible when vision meets execution.
Africa’s digital transformation journey
Africa’s digital transformational journey has been a story of contrasts. On one hand, we see rapid adoption of mobile technology, with millions of people gaining access to digital services for the first time. In fact, Africa has emerged as the third fastest-growing mobile phone market in the world in Q1 2024.
On the other hand, vast areas of the continent struggle with unreliable and expensive internet connections, as well as inconsistent and unreliable power supply, which is a fundamental barrier to establishing reliable internet infrastructure. Poor transport infrastructure across the continent also hampers the deployment of physical connectivity infrastructure like fibre optic cables, especially in countries with rural and remote terrain, which can exacerbate the digital divide between urban and rural populations.
This inconsistency poses a major hurdle for businesses and consumers alike. The challenge is clear: to provide high-capacity, reliable connectivity that can support the growing demand for digital services to Africa. Governments and private companies are increasingly investing in digital infrastructure to meet the growing connectivity demands. For instance, the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy aims to achieve universal digital access by 2030, which would significantly boost economic development and social inclusion.
In this context, WIOCC has been a driving force in transforming Africa’s connectivity landscape. Since its inception in 2008 and with an extensive network of terrestrial and subsea fibre, WIOCC has become the digital backbone that many of Africa’s internet services rely on. Yet, as the company’s influence grew, so did its responsibility to meet the escalating demands of a continent on the brink of a digital revolution.
A strategic partnership with purpose
The digital divide is not just a technical issue. It’s a barrier to progress. For global cloud operators and content providers looking to expand into Africa, the stakes are high. Poor connectivity limits access to markets and impacts the quality of services offered to consumers. This is where WIOCC’s strategy took a significant turn.
Recognising the need for robust infrastructure to support Africa’s digital ambitions, WIOCC became a key partner in the Equiano subsea cable project, spearheaded by Google. The cable, which stretches from South Africa to Portugal, is more than just a technological marvel – it’s a lifeline for Africa’s digital future. But WIOCC didn’t stop there. To truly enhance connectivity, they needed a partner in Europe – a hub that could seamlessly connect African networks to the rest of the world. This is where we came into the picture.
Telehouse’s data centres in London provide a critical junction for global connectivity. By leveraging our infrastructure, WIOCC has been able to offer its clients in Africa and Europe something that was previously out of reach: low-latency, high-reliability connections that can scale with demand.
Our data centres in London are interconnected with WIOCC’s own dark fibre, allowing them to efficiently carry traffic to wherever clients need to connect. With many of WIOCC’s customers already situated in our data centres, integrating Telehouse into the network allowed for a better service and enhanced connectivity solutions.
Shaping the future of connectivity
What’s at stake here is more than just faster internet. It’s about enabling a future where African businesses can compete on a global stage, where students can access online education without interruption, and where healthcare providers can deliver critical services remotely. The partnership between WIOCC and Telehouse is a critical piece of this puzzle, demonstrating how collaboration can drive meaningful change.
As Africa’s connectivity landscape continues to evolve, the importance of these strategic partnerships cannot be overstated. The Equiano cable is set to multiply internet speeds across the continent, making reliable connectivity the new norm rather than the exception. For WIOCC, this is just the beginning. The company’s commitment to expanding its infrastructure, supported by partners like us, signals a future where Africa’s digital potential can be fully realised.
If you’d like to learn more about our partnership with WIOCC, read the case study here.