Coker calls for investment in digital infrastructure across Africa

By Taiwo Scholastica

The Chief Executive Officer of Open Access Data Centres, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, has called for increased investment in data centres, cloud infrastructure, and connectivity to support the growth of Africa’s digital economy.

Coker made the call while speaking on “Data Centres, Cloud and Infrastructure: Backbone of Africa’s Digital Economy” at the ICTEL Expo.

He said the rising use of digital services across the continent has made reliable infrastructure a major priority, adding that the digital economy cannot grow without the necessary foundation.

According to him, “Every digital move depends on digital infrastructure.”

Coker emphasized that Africa needs to pay more attention to the infrastructure required to support its digital future, especially in the areas of power supply, connectivity, and data centres.

He noted, “You cannot have a digital economy without infrastructure. The infrastructure is the foundation upon which everything else is built.”

The Open Access Data Centres CEO observed that the growing number of people coming online, alongside the increasing adoption of cloud services and digital platforms, is driving higher demand for data centres and computing capacity across the continent.

“As we see more people coming online, and as more businesses move to the cloud, the demand for data centres and computing power will continue to grow,” he said.

Speaking on Artificial Intelligence and Large Language Models, Coker noted that the rapid development of these technologies will further increase the need for computing infrastructure.

“AI is going to drive an enormous amount of demand for computing power, and that means we need the infrastructure to support it,” he said, adding that Africa must prepare for the shifts accompanying the rapid growth of AI and other emerging tech.

Coker listed 3D printing, virtual reality, advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, social media, and the Internet of Things among the key technologies expected to shape the future of the digital economy.

He also addressed the impact of AI on jobs and skills, stressing the need for Africans to acquire relevant knowledge to stay competitive as technology evolves.

“We have to make sure our people have the skills to participate in this new digital economy. We cannot afford to be consumers alone; we must also become creators,” he asserted.

On digital sovereignty, Coker urged African countries to build local technology capacity rather than relying heavily on foreign tech.

“Digital sovereignty is about having the capacity to make choices about our own digital future and having the infrastructure to support those choices,” he said.

The discussion also highlighted the need for stronger data protection and cybersecurity as more businesses, individuals, and government institutions continue to rely on digital platforms.

Coker’s presentation underscored that Africa’s digital transformation will require sustained investment in infrastructure, local capacity, and stakeholder collaboration to build a robust ecosystem that drives continental economic growth.