NEWS
Vantage Data Centers opens Johannesburg data centre campus
Positioned within the continent ’ s largest data centre market , Vantage has opened its first data centre ( JNB11 ) in Africa after breaking ground in 2021 . The two-storey facility offers 16MW of critical IT capacity across 130,000 square feet ( 12,000 square metres ). The project was delivered in 10 months , 10 days ahead of schedule , with zero lost-time incidents over 1.5 million working hours .
With an investment totalling more than US $ 1 billion , Vantage ’ s 30-acre ( 12 hectares ) campus will include 80MW of IT capacity and more than 650,000 square feet ( 60,000 square metres ) across three data centres once fully developed . Located in Waterfall City , the campus complements the area ’ s thriving data centre ecosystem and leverages its fibre connectivity to the rest of Africa .
“ Our rapid turnaround on the construction of our first Johannesburg facility has allowed us to more quickly meet demand for hyperscale data centres in the area ,” said Justin Jenkins , Chief Operating Officer , EMEA at Vantage Data Centers .
Vantage Data Centers , a global provider of hyperscale data centre campuses , has announced the delivery of the first facility on its
Johannesburg campus .
“ At Vantage , we pride ourselves on not only our speed to market , but also our commitment to become part of the local community and cement our reputation as a reliable data centre partner in the region .”
Pan-African space challenge drives opportunities for space-tech entrepreneurs
The Africa Earth Observation Challenge ( AEO ) is poised to propel innovation in the continent ’ s space sector via a pan-African open innovation start-up challenge , focusing on earth observation data solutions .
The AEO Challenge , to be officially opened on August 8 , 2022 , is an annual open innovation initiative which has been sourcing novel applications of space-based technologies since 2016 .
Imraan Saloojee , the RIIS executive overseeing the AEO Challenge , said that the challenge is attracting government interest , which is a positive indication of both the AEO Challenge ’ s market traction and the burgeoning activity that is emerging in Africa ’ s space sector .
“ An agreement with the Kenya Space Agency was entered into during the Kenya Space Expo and Conference 2022 , which is immensely exciting for the challenge , and we are in talks with other African governmental agencies and directorates who have indicated an interest in supporting this initiative ,” said Saloojee .
Submissions are welcomed from African start-ups and entrepreneurs who can demonstrate feasible innovations using earth observation data . Shortlisted applicants are then invited to take part in a week-long business training programme .
Following this , the applicants are required to present their business plans at a live pitching event to a multidisciplinary panel of specialist judges .
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