Raza Hasnani, Chairman-Board of PAIX Data Centres, has stated that Ghana’s – and by extension Africa’s – path to prosperity hinges on its ability to become a digital-first economy.

He points to the powerful technology companies in developed nations as a blueprint, arguing that just as they have become global powerhouses, Africa can achieve significant economic growth and create a plethora of new jobs by strategic investments in digital infrastructure.

“As tech giants in the developed world have risen to become some of the largest and most profitable companies in history, Africa’s development ambitions are intrinsically tied to a successful transition to a digital-first economy,” he said during an engagement announcing the expansion of PAIX Data Centres in Accra.

The data bear him witness. Africa, with an estimated population of 1.46 billion people across 54 countries, saw its Gross Domestic Product surpass US$3trillion for the first time in 2023 – a feat consumer technology behemoth Apple achieved in January 2022.

For further comparison, as of mid-June 2024 the top-five companies in the world by market valuation were all technology companies – and have been for a while. They had a combined market capitalisation of US$14.04trillion. They were chipmaker NVIDIA (US$3.34trillion); the aforementioned Apple (US$3.3trillion); Microsoft (US$3.26trillion); Google/Alphabet (US$2.18trillion) and Amazon (US$1.96trillion). In contrast, Ghana’s GDP as of March 2024 was GH¢1.05trillion (US$70billion).

Data centres, added Mr. Hasnani – who doubles as Managing Director and Head of Infrastructure at Africa50 – form a critical leg for the digital transformation agenda. “Data centres have become increasingly vital to economic growth and digital transformation… we share a deep conviction that high quality, sustainable infrastructure transforms economies and societies,” he explained.

He noted that expansion of PAIX Data Centres to 1.2 megawatts (MW) will support the creation of businesses that can thrive in the digital era, leading to increased employment opportunities and economic transformation. The demand for reliable and scalable data centres in Africa is projected to surge dramatically. Currently, the continent has a capacity of 250 MW, which needs to be boosted to 1,200 MW by 2030 to cater for the soaring consumption of data. Industry estimates suggest that data consumption will increase by 40 percent annually until 2025.

The strategic investment in PAIX Data Centres – part of more than US$30million across the continent – also underscores a commitment to environmental sustainability. The expanded facility improves energy sustainability and efficiency, allowing companies to dedicate fewer resources to data storage – which can then be reinvested elsewhere. “Increased integration of renewable energy into PAIX’s energy mix and the introduction of efficient cooling technology and waste management systems have further strengthened the company’s sustainability performance,” Mr. Hasnani elaborated.

Deputy Minister for Communication and Digitalisation, Charles Acheampong, lauded the initiative; describing it as an exemplary private sector effort in advancing digitalisation.

Managing Director-PAIX Data Centres, Bright Tawiah, stated that this development will significantly impact the real economy by lowering data storage costs and creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities. “This expansion to 1.2 MW reduces data costs and increases access, accelerates the digitisation drive and spurs job creation. It demonstrates that we take seriously our commitment to provide a scalable, secure and reliable data centre solution for our customers,” he said.

“Our upgraded facility boasts cutting-edge infrastructure and robust security measures, guaranteeing optimal performance and reliability for mission-critical applications and services. I call on businesses in Ghana to be bold in seizing these exciting new opportunities – PAIX is expanding to give you confidence in tak your business to the next level,” he added.