Open Access Data Centres (OADC) has announced its appointment of Dr. Ayotunde Coker as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Coker, who has over 35 years of international experience across Europe, the USA, Asia, and Africa, is set to lead OADC in supporting and accelerating Africa’s digital transformation.
African wholesale network firm WIOCC Group first launched OADC as a data centre venture in 2021. Since then, OADC has embarked on plans to construct and operate a pan-African network of Tier III certified data centre facilities, which are connected through a core-to-edge open-access edge data centre ecosystem comprising of hyperscale, regional and OADC Edge data centres. Under Coker’s direction, OADC is set to bolster its efforts in boosting edge computing and hyperscale connectivity within the region.
Previously, Coker was the CEO and Managing Director of Rack Centre, and had a distinguished 28-year career in the UK, with numerous business leadership awards under his belt.
Transforming Africa’s Digital Infrastructure
Coker is the current President of the Africa Data Centres Association, and served as Chair of the UK Government Enterprise Architecture Board. Speaking on his appointment as CEO, Coker affirmed that “this is a dynamic period for businesses in Africa, with transformation driving rapid expansion of the continent’s digital infrastructure.”
“I am excited to be joining OADC, which is set to play a huge role in establishing and growing the pan-African digital infrastructure and cloud ecosystem that will underpin this expansion – supporting cloud operators, content providers, the wholesale community and major enterprises in extending their reach and operations across the continent.”
Chris Wood, WIOCC Group CEO, expressed his support for Coker, saying that “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Tunde as CEO of Open Access Data Centres at this critical period in the company’s development. Having secured $200m in funding at the end of 2021, we are now engaged in transforming Africa’s digital infrastructure with the most extensive deployment ever in Africa of open-access national, regional and edge data centres.”
“Tunde’s depth and breadth of experience and leadership, together with his stature and contacts in the African data centre industry will, I’m sure, be instrumental in ensuring the company’s success.”
Coker has chosen Lagos, Nigeria, as his base, given its strategic position in the centre of Africa, and its prime location as the site of OADC’s newest Tier III open access data centre. He expressed his confidence and excitement for the role, saying “I am delighted to be leading OADC in transforming Africa’s digital capabilities, driving its deployment of a network and vibrant ecosystems of world-class, open-access digital infrastructure at strategic interconnection points throughout the continent. An opportunity for Africa to leapfrog the world.”
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