Paratus Group, a leading provider of fiber and satellite connectivity, has recently secured a US$31 million debt facility from the Private Infrastructure Development Group. This strategic investment is earmarked for extending their fiber and data center business across Africa until 2026.
This financial boost aims to bolster the provision of reliable internet services across six Sub-Saharan African countries: Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of Congo, South Africa, and Zambia, significantly enhancing connectivity within these regions.
The expansion plan involves the development of three new fiber routes, connecting key locations such as Walvis Bay-Johannesburg-Maputo, Brazzaville-Johannesburg-Maputo, and Luanda-Lusaka-Dar Es Salaam. These expansions are set to increase the overall fiber network to over 10,000km, facilitating improved data transmission and access to digital services along the east and west coasts.
The investment, mobilized by investment manager Ninety One from two funds, namely the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF) and Ninety One Africa Credit Opportunities, will facilitate multiple initiatives. This includes the construction of Angola’s first tier four data center, alongside the establishment of a 10MW facility that will connect to the Equiano subsea cable, providing an essential link to Europe and the West African coast.
Schalk Erasmus, the CEO of Paratus, expressed enthusiasm regarding the development, stating: “Widening access to fibre and data centres in key African markets will progress development and inclusive growth – maximising opportunities in countries where entrepreneurial spirit abounds. EAIF and Ninety One’s commitment sends the right signal to the rest of the market and reinforces our mission to support a more connected and technologically advanced Africa.”
Paratus recently announced the introduction of two new fiber links in Mozambique, further solidifying its commitment to enhancing digital infrastructure and connectivity within the region. It also announced early this year that it was constructing Angola’s first Tier-IV by design Data Center (DC) in Luanda, to complement the existing two Tier-III by design DCs that the pan-African telco already owns and operates in Angola. According to the statement, this is the fifth carrier-neutral DC operated by the Paratus Group in southern Africa.
Paratus owns and operates DCs in Angola, Namibia and Zambia.
Paratus is a full-service network spanning the African continent and connecting customers internationally. We offer a high-quality network across 7 African countries – Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia – with additional international points of presence located in Johannesburg (South Africa), Lisbon (Portugal) and London (UK).
