Rack Centre is driving digital expansion by investing in enabling infrastructure, such as the LGS2 Data Centre project being developed in Lagos. The facility is to revolutionise the digital landscape and improve the operations of many businesses across West Africa.
Lars Johannisson, CEO of Rack Centre, speaks on the significance of the project and its impact on the Nigerian economy. Joshua Bassey brings excerpts.
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LGS2 has been described as a significant milestone in Rack Centre’s expansion. Can you explain its importance and how it contributes to the growth of West Africa’s digital infrastructure?
We pride ourselves on being West Africa’s leading digital ecosystem; hence, the LGS2 is a critical part of our ongoing expansion strategy and represents a major leap in Rack Centre’s commitment to strengthening West Africa’s digital infrastructure. With a 12 MW capacity, it is currently the largest data centre of its kind in the region.
This facility addresses the surging demand for data management, storage, and cloud services, driven by digital transformation across industries. When we complete the project, hyperscalers, businesses, telecom operators, and service providers will have access to world-class infrastructure to securely scale their digital operations, ultimately fostering economic growth in Nigeria and West Africa.
What are the key features and benefits of the LGS2 data centre that make it unique in the market?
The data centre market continues to evolve, and with the increasing rate of internet penetration in Africa, it is no exception. As a state-of-the-art 12 MW data centre, the LGS2 is designed to meet the highest international standards, offering scalable solutions for hyperscalers, enterprises, and cloud service providers.
Two features stand the LGS2 data centre out from the rest: the adoption of green practices and its AI readiness. For green practices, we have installed energy-efficient systems and advanced cooling technologies as sustainability measures to mitigate environmental impact. Second, is an AI-ready facility equipped to handle high-density workloads with precision.
With features such as N+2 high-efficiency cooling units, an integrated Building Management System (BMS) for optimal performance, and a Power Usage Efficiency (PUE) of 1.35, the LGS2 combines capacity, sustainability, and innovation. This reinforces our position as a leader in the African data centre market. And as I said earlier, the data centre market keeps evolving, so we will keep innovating and researching to stay ahead.
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You’ve mentioned that LGS 2 is equipped with advanced technology, including AI readiness. Can you elaborate on the technologies integrated into this facility?
“When we complete the project, hyperscalers, businesses, telecom operators, and service providers will have access to world-class infrastructure to securely scale their digital operations, ultimately fostering economic growth in Nigeria and West Africa.”
Absolutely. Our vision for LGS2 is not about us. It’s about the development of Nigeria and West Africa’s digital economy. That is why we have built the facility with some of the most advanced technologies available today. The LGS2 data centre’s AI readiness allows for enhanced data processing and storage capabilities, which are critical for businesses and organisations that are embracing artificial intelligence and machine learning.
As I explained earlier, sustainability is at the core of what we do. The facility also incorporates state-of-the-art cooling systems, which are both energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, ensuring that we minimise power consumption while maintaining optimal operational performance.
Most importantly, we have guaranteed the safety of our client’s details by equipping both our LGS1 and LGS2 data centres with robust security and monitoring systems to guarantee the highest levels of safety and reliability for our clients.
How will LGS 2 data centre support West Africa’s digital economy, and what role will it play in enabling businesses to scale their operations efficiently?
We intend to play a pivotal role in boosting West Africa’s digital economy by providing the infrastructure necessary for businesses to scale securely and efficiently.
At Rack Centre, our carrier and cloud-neutral data centres deliver high-performance interconnections and seamless connectivity for content and cloud service providers, hyperscalers, carriers, ISPs, managed service providers, the public sector, oil and gas, and financial services, among others.
We believe that when the LGS2 data centre begins full operations, it will facilitate digital expansion and drive innovation and economic progress in Nigeria and across West Africa.
Do you see the actualisation of this project bringing an end to businesses and government agencies hosting their data abroad?
If you follow what has been happening in the digital ecosystem, you will notice businesses and government agencies are leaning towards the offerings of data centres in the country.
With all sense of modesty, I would say that there has been an increased level of capacity on the part of players in Nigeria’s data centre market. Though we have seen a proliferation of data centres in Nigeria, the reality is that this new facility, when fully completed, will be enough to cater to businesses or agencies regardless of size.
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Energy is a big challenge on the African continent, including Nigeria. Given the erratic nature of the power supply in Nigeria, how do you intend to power this new facility?
In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on green data centres, and at Rack Centre, we are fully committed to this goal. Our new facility will be integrated with a mix of renewable energy sources, gas and solar energy, designed to eliminate reliance on the grid, thus providing a permanent renewable energy solution.
As part of our dedication to sustainable business practices, we’ve invested significantly in solar energy to lower our carbon footprint. We’ve also transitioned from diesel to gas power generation, introduced water-efficient cooling systems, and adopted low-energy air circulation. With the integration of solar energy into our operations, we will be reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and green practices. We believe it’s our responsibility to protect the environment, and we take this duty very seriously.
What are your thoughts about the expansion of the digital economy in Nigeria?
The growth of the digital economy is not driven by an isolated event, company, or technology but by the collective and continued drive for productivity, economic growth, and expansion into a larger part of the economy.
Therefore, digital growth happens when access to technology, digital skill sets, policies, and infrastructure build-out converge. Looking at Nigeria, the continued fibre deployments, 2G–4G migration, Fixed Wireless Access (5G), Critical National Infrastructure Act, lowering device price points, and a stable market outlook will accelerate the digital economy for all of us in this ecosystem.
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