Yes, We Have The Bandwidth, But Can We Afford It with CEO Ayotunde Coker
Tech Talk AfricaPlay episode
Show notes
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International Telecoms Week x Datacloud Africa 2026 Conference Podcast Edition
CEO Ayotunde Coker - Open Access Data Centres (WIOCC Group)
Africa’s internet future won’t be won by a single shiny megaproject. It gets built in the unglamorous details: where fiber actually runs, where networks can interconnect, how data centers scale from core hubs to edge sites, and most of all, where dependable power comes from. From the floor of ITW 2026, we sit down with the CEO of Open Access Data Centers to get a grounded look at what’s working, what’s missing, and what needs to happen faster.
We start with the story behind OADC and the WyOC group, from subsea cable roots to a broader open access digital infrastructure platform across Africa. Then we get specific: the core-to-edge data center strategy, why carrier-neutral facilities change the market, and how “metro” connectivity can bring fiber closer to homes and businesses while letting multiple ISPs ride the same infrastructure.
From there, we tackle the question everyone asks at telecom and cloud events: energy. The reality is that “plug-in power” is constrained worldwide, so the conversation shifts to primary power sources and delivery models. We dig into gas and hydro potential, the rise of captive power, and why planning power, connectivity, and data centers as one system is the only way to scale.
Finally, we unpack “meaningful connectivity” as affordable, reliable broadband people can adopt, not just speed for speed’s sake, plus the human capital needed to keep uptime high and extend connectivity into landlocked countries. If you care about Africa data centers, broadband adoption, fiber networks, subsea cables, and digital infrastructure investment, this one is for you.
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Credits
Host:
Stella GichuhiProducer:
James NjorogeExecutive Producers:
Harry HareAgutu Dan
