Digital Realty Launches First Data Center in Ghana: ACR2 in Accra Expands West Africa Footprint

Digital Realty, a leading global provider of data center solutions, has officially announced its entry into Ghana with the launch of ACR2, its inaugural facility in West Africa. This carrier-neutral colocation data center in Accra positions Ghana as a key hub for international connectivity, supporting enterprises, financial institutions, and telcos with compliant, high-performance infrastructure.

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of West Africa, reliable data center infrastructure is essential for businesses seeking global connectivity without compromising local compliance. Digital Realty’s new ACR2 data center in Accra, Ghana, delivers exactly that. Strategically located in the heart of Accra, this facility marks the company’s first step in expanding its PlatformDIGITAL® across Africa, offering 1.7MW of installed critical IT load for colocation services.

Connected to dense fiber routes and the 2Africa subsea cable system, ACR2 serves as a gateway to the global digital economy. This development addresses growing demands for data sovereignty in Ghana while enabling seamless interconnection for cloud, fintech, and telecom sectors.

Analysis

Strategic Location and Connectivity Advantages

Accra’s position as Ghana’s economic capital makes it ideal for data center development. ACR2 benefits from proximity to major fiber optic networks and direct access to the 2Africa cable, a high-capacity subsea system linking Africa to Europe, Asia, and beyond. This setup ensures low-latency connections, critical for applications like financial trading, cloud computing, and AI workloads.

Impact on Ghana’s Digital Ecosystem

Ghana’s digital economy is booming, with increasing adoption of fintech, e-commerce, and digital services. ACR2 supports this growth by providing carrier-neutral colocation, allowing multiple providers to coexist without vendor lock-in. Joseph Koranteng, Managing Director of Digital Realty in Ghana, emphasized: “Enterprises no longer have to choose between compliance and performance; ACR2 delivers both, right here in Accra.”

Alignment with PlatformDIGITAL®

Digital Realty’s PlatformDIGITAL® is a global data center platform that integrates colocation, interconnection, and hybrid IT solutions. ACR2 extends this ecosystem, incorporating Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx®) for scalable operations. With over 300 facilities in 50+ metros across 25+ countries, Digital Realty now strengthens its African presence alongside sites in Johannesburg.

Summary

Digital Realty has launched ACR2, its first data center in Ghana, located in Accra. This 1.7MW carrier-neutral colocation facility connects to key subsea cables like 2Africa, supporting data sovereignty for banks, fintechs, telcos, and enterprises. It enhances West Africa’s role in the global digital economy while promoting local investment and digital inclusion.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For Businesses Considering Colocation in Ghana

If your organization operates in West Africa, evaluate ACR2 for colocation needs. Start by assessing your IT load requirements against the 1.7MW capacity. Carrier-neutral services allow flexibility in choosing network providers, reducing costs and improving redundancy.

Steps to Leverage ACR2

1. Conduct a Needs Assessment: Determine bandwidth, power, and compliance needs for your workloads.
2. Explore Interconnection: Use PlatformDIGITAL® for direct peering with global clouds like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud.
3. Plan for Scalability: PDx® architecture supports growth from initial deployments to AI-driven expansions.
4. Contact Digital Realty: Visit digitalrealty.com for consultations on Ghana data center solutions.

Benefits for Fintech and Telcos

Fintech firms gain compliant hosting for sensitive data, while telcos benefit from interconnection hubs. Koranteng noted that ACR2 matches infrastructure quality in London, Amsterdam, or Johannesburg, all from Accra.

Points of Caution

General Data Center Considerations

While ACR2 emphasizes reliability, businesses should verify uptime SLAs and redundancy features like backup power. Ensure your operations align with Ghana’s Data Protection Act, which mandates local data storage for certain sectors.

Market and Operational Factors

West Africa’s digital infrastructure is maturing, but monitor regulatory changes and energy availability. Digital Realty’s global track record mitigates risks, but conduct due diligence on local fiber diversity and subsea cable resilience.

Comparison

ACR2 vs. Digital Realty’s African Facilities

Compared to Johannesburg facilities, ACR2 offers West Africa-specific advantages like proximity to 2Africa landings. Johannesburg serves Southern Africa with larger capacities, but ACR2 fills the West African gap, providing similar PDx® standards.

Vs. Regional Competitors

Local providers in Ghana offer basic hosting, but Digital Realty’s carrier-neutral model and global platform surpass them in interconnection scale. In Nigeria or Côte d’Ivoire, competitors exist, yet ACR2’s Accra location and compliance focus differentiate it for Ghana-centric operations.

Legal Implications

Ghana’s Data Protection Act (Act 843) requires certain personal data to be processed locally, aligning with ACR2’s data sovereignty features. Financial institutions under Bank of Ghana regulations benefit from compliant hosting, avoiding cross-border transfer penalties. Digital Realty ensures facilities meet these standards, but users must confirm specific sectoral compliance like for payment systems or telecom data.

Conclusion

The launch of ACR2 solidifies Digital Realty’s commitment to Africa’s digital future. By bridging local compliance with global connectivity, this Ghana data center empowers West African businesses to thrive in the international arena. As PlatformDIGITAL® expands, expect further investments driving innovation, from AI to cloud services. For enterprises eyeing West Africa data center opportunities, ACR2 represents a pivotal gateway.

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