Organisations in South Africa will now have access to an additional Microsoft Azure connectivity option, following the designation of Africa Data Centres’ Johannesburg facility as an Azure ExpressRoute Metro peering location. This development enables enterprises to establish private connections to Microsoft Azure through two separate peering locations within the Johannesburg metro area, thereby adding redundancy for organisations running mission-critical workloads in the cloud.
The designation of Africa Data Centres’ facility as an Azure ExpressRoute Metro peering location strengthens the resilience of Africa’s digital infrastructure by improving access to secure, high-performance cloud services. Africa Data Centres, which is part of Cassava Technologies, has achieved a significant milestone with this move, as the Johannesburg facility becomes Africa’s first Azure ExpressRoute Metro location. This designation joins a select group of global technology hubs that offer enhanced cloud connectivity capabilities.
Azure ExpressRoute Metro routes a single connection through two peering locations in the same metro area, reducing reliance on a single connection point and improving resilience for hybrid cloud environments. This development is particularly significant as organisations across regulated industries increasingly prioritise operational resilience, business continuity, risk management, and data protection. Financial services, healthcare, government, and large enterprises are among the sectors driving demand for secure cloud connectivity and locally available infrastructure.
Africa Data Centres’ JHB1 facility has become the second peering location within the Johannesburg metro to provide local ExpressRoute Metro capability. Liquid C2, Cassava Technologies’ cloud and cybersecurity business, will utilise its presence across both locations to deliver Secure CloudConnect. This managed service combines private cloud connectivity with cybersecurity capabilities, providing organisations with a secure connection to Microsoft Azure.
South Africa has emerged as one of Africa’s largest data centre markets, with enterprises and cloud providers investing in infrastructure to support growing demand for artificial intelligence, analytics, and digital services. According to Ziaad Suleman, senior vice-president of Cassava Technologies South Africa and Botswana, being designated a Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Metro peering location is a defining moment for Africa Data Centres and Africa’s digital infrastructure. This reflects growing confidence in the continent’s ability to support the next generation of cloud and AI-driven services, while demonstrating the strength of the One Cassava model.
“By combining the infrastructure capabilities of Africa Data Centres with the cloud and cybersecurity expertise of Liquid C2, we are providing organisations with the resilient, secure, and trusted digital foundation they need to accelerate innovation and growth,” said Ziaad Suleman. Microsoft South Africa CEO Vukani Mngxati noted that the availability of Azure ExpressRoute Metro in Johannesburg would give organisations a more resilient and secure route to cloud services. “South Africa isn’t waiting for the AI era; it’s helping to shape it, and that ambition rests on digital infrastructure the country can trust. With Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Metro now available in Johannesburg, organisations across South Africa gain a more resilient and secure path to the cloud for their most critical workloads,” said Mngxati.
The availability of local cloud connectivity options is expected to support enterprises adopting hybrid cloud strategies, particularly those requiring higher levels of availability, security, and control over critical systems. This development is likely to have a significant impact on the growth of cloud services in South Africa, as organisations increasingly seek to leverage the benefits of cloud computing while ensuring the security and resilience of their operations.
