Open Access Data Centres (OADC), a rapidly expanding carrier-neutral data centre operator in Africa, has introduced a novel interconnection platform, Open Access Fabric (OAfabric), in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative aims to address the persistent challenges that have plagued Africa’s internet landscape, characterized by high costs, unreliable connectivity, and sluggish speeds. OAfabric, now operational in OADC’s facilities in Lagos and Kinshasa, seeks to revolutionize how businesses connect to the internet, offering a direct route to bypass the limitations of existing infrastructure and unlock the potential of Africa’s digital economy. The core objective is to provide a more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective internet experience for businesses operating on the continent.
OAfabric tackles several key obstacles hindering Africa’s digital progress. The platform addresses the unreliability and high costs associated with international internet routes, often the only option for African businesses to connect to global cloud and content providers. It also bridges the gaps in local data infrastructure, providing a much-needed boost to local connectivity. Furthermore, OAfabric navigates the complex regulatory landscape surrounding data sovereignty, ensuring compliance and data security within the African context. By offering a direct, low-latency connection to both global and local cloud and content providers, OAfabric aims to dramatically reduce transit costs and improve performance, ultimately enhancing the user experience for businesses and their customers.
The OAfabric platform establishes an open-access and collaborative digital ecosystem, facilitating seamless interconnection between enterprises, networks, cloud providers, and content platforms. Unlike traditional infrastructure development that focuses on physical expansion, OAfabric prioritizes simplifying and accelerating digital exchange. This approach minimizes delays, fragmentation, and complexity, fostering a more dynamic and efficient digital environment. By streamlining connectivity, OAfabric empowers businesses to access vital digital services more efficiently and effectively, fostering growth and innovation.
Historically, African businesses have grappled with exorbitant internet costs, often relying on expensive international networks to reach global cloud and content providers. This dependence has resulted in high latency and inconsistent performance, impacting user experience and hindering business operations. OAfabric disrupts this paradigm by creating direct, low-latency pathways to these crucial services, significantly reducing costs and delivering faster, more reliable connections. This improvement in connectivity translates to a more seamless and efficient online experience for users, boosting productivity and enabling businesses to operate more effectively in the digital realm.
Beyond the immediate benefits of improved connectivity and reduced costs, OAfabric aims to stimulate the development of local digital ecosystems. By establishing open, carrier-neutral interconnection points, the platform empowers enterprises to scale their services and expand into new markets with greater speed and efficiency. This fosters a more vibrant and competitive digital landscape within Africa, promoting innovation and growth. The platform is envisioned as a catalyst for transforming Africa’s digital economy, removing barriers and facilitating seamless, high-performance peering between key players in the ecosystem.
OAfabric represents a significant step towards realizing the full potential of Africa’s digital economy. It addresses the critical challenges of connectivity, cost, and access, paving the way for a more dynamic and interconnected digital landscape. By fostering collaboration and simplifying digital exchange, OAfabric empowers businesses to thrive in the digital age, driving innovation and economic growth across the continent. OADC’s future plans include expanding OAfabric into more African markets, extending its reach and strengthening access to international content and cloud ecosystems. This expansion will further solidify OAfabric’s role as a cornerstone of Africa’s digital future, driving connectivity and fostering a thriving digital economy.
