Digital infrastructure company Equinix has launched the first phase of a 20-megawatt data center called JN1 in Germiston, South Africa.
The JN1 Johannesburg International Business Exchange (IBX) data center provides secure and resilient colocation and interconnection services, creating a new hub in South Africa.
Equinix announced the US$160 million investment in December 2022, citing the facility’s ability to connect businesses in South Africa and abroad to Equinix's global network of customers and partners.
The first phase of the project is a 4-megawatt facility that is expected to accommodate a diverse group of customers, from submarine cable providers to corporate customers.
“This JN1 facility began with a pledge at an investment conference led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and today we are seeing that pledge come to fruition,” said Sandile Dube, MD of Equinix South Africa. spoke at the presentation. .
“Equinix provides a platform that makes up a rich ecosystem that includes not only system integrators, but also network service providers, cloud providers, and hyperscalers. This means customers have a choice when using this facility. That is,” he continued.
Equinix closes the SA skills gapDube said one of the most important aspects of Equinix’s investment is the number of job opportunities the data center will provide.
“Significant revenue investment has been made into this facility and I am proud that it is creating and enabling opportunities for South African businesses and communities,” Dube said. spoke.
“As a result of this, we have created some job opportunities, particularly among women and young people. For me, that is the essence of this investment. We are here to help South Africa address some of its challenges. ,” he explained. .
Additionally, the company said it is also establishing a presence in South Africa to close the digital skills gap.
“This facility is not just another data center offering colocation services, but an integrated, interconnected global platform that will bring seamless connectivity to South Africa,” said the Equinix SA MD.
Dube’s sentiments were echoed by Mondri Gungubele, deputy minister at the South African Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), who said that by building the JN1 data center, Equinix will not only advance the country’s digital infrastructure, but also create jobs and innovate. He said that he is promoting the
South African DCDT Deputy Minister Mondri Gungubele. (Source: Machepo Sehorokho)
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindifil Ghakaza highlighted that the Equinix JN1 facility employs 750 ICT and construction workers.
The South African data center follows the company’s February 2024 announcement to invest US$390 million to build data centers in Africa over the next five years.
The $390 million investment comes nearly two years after the company entered Africa with the $320 million acquisition of MainOne, a West African data center and connectivity solutions provider.
The MainOne deal, announced in December 2021, was aimed at expanding Platform Equinix into West Africa and providing access to global and regional markets for organizations within and outside Africa.
The acquisition adds three operational data centers to Equinix’s portfolio in Nigeria, Ghana and Ivory Coast.