Visa has launched its first data centre in Africa, selecting Johannesburg, South Africa, as the location.
This development is a major step in enhancing the continent’s digital payment and financial technology systems.
The centre was unveiled during a recent visit to Africa by the President of the United States.
It is Visa’s second international data facility, following its Singapore centre. This addition is expected to significantly reduce transaction delays for users in Africa by improving VisaNet’s performance. It also increases the network’s reliability and supports compliance with regional data regulations.
The Johannesburg facility is part of Visa’s larger plan to invest approximately $56.9 million in Africa over the next five years.
The funding will be allocated towards building digital infrastructure, supporting local fintech firms, and providing training programs to enhance capacity across the sector.
Visa’s CEO, Ryan McInerney, said the new centre responds to the continent’s rapid growth in digital payments and reflects the company’s commitment to meeting regulatory expectations across Africa.
South Africa’s growing fintech ecosystem—including companies like Ozow, Stitch, and Yoco—is driving innovation in areas like mobile payments, APIs, and digital commerce.
A local data hub is expected to speed up transaction processing, increase system stability, and support new digital solutions.
The timing of the launch aligns with broader regional efforts to improve cross-border payments.
At the Inclusive FinTech Forum in Kigali, the Better Than Cash Alliance recommended building regional data centres to make transactions between countries smoother while giving governments better access to financial data.
In major African markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, regulators are increasingly requiring that financial data be stored within national borders.
Meanwhile, Visa’s new centre adds to the continent’s expanding technology infrastructure.
Other notable efforts include Airtel Africa’s planned data centre in Kenya and Teraco’s $680 million investment in South Africa to grow solar-powered data storage facilities in response to recurring power shortages.
Kubik, Inc., a pioneering African startup specializing in plastic waste upcycling, has secured $3.34 million in funding.
Pan-African private equity firm Inspired Evolution has announced the second closing of its Evolution III fund, raising capital to support clean energy projects across the continent.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group focused on private sector development, is providing a significant boost to South Africa’s ongoing energy transition and affordable housing initiatives.
© 2021 Empower Africa. All rights reserved.
