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Data Centres Connecting to IXPN will Assist to Localise Traffic – Coker

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Ayotunde Coker is the managing director of Rack Centre a Data centre operator. He spoke to Chike Onwuegbuchi on the importance of data centres interconnecting through Internet exchange point of Nigeria (IXPN),

What is the value proposition in Data Centre collocation?

Capital in millions of Dollars is needed to build a data centre, but that is not the core area of, it is better to put that resources in the front end of the business and collocate. In fact, it is difficult for those who choose to have their datacentres to have the expertise to execute. But, this is what I do every day. I wake up in the morning thinking of how best to offer services to the customers who are hosted with us. But that is not the core-competence of that company down the road that wants to build a datacentre.

They are not likely to achieve the right standard of operating it. Sometimes, it ends up as a big project that slows the system due to budget and maintenance – you have to think of 24/7 diesel availability. Some board meetings end up discussing datacentre downtime or lack of diesel; it should not be so.  Make the right selection for the company and focus on transforming the company with technology.

When you have an option to collocate and it is proven to be secured, reliable and available, then, you can sleep at night. Of course, there are other services you may need to manage such as customer relationship and so on, but you get more credit from transforming the business and the customer experience will be top notch.

On the other hand, we have 32 carriers here. If you build your datacentre you need to worry about how many carriers would want to bring their fibre to you. Now, when you do not have high quality datacentres, then, your excuse for building a data centre is cogent. But, it is capital intensive. When I was the CIO of a bank, I looked everywhere for quality data centre but could not find any in the country. Today, the sub-sector has changed. That is the value proposition of taking on colocation.

Are all Data centres in Nigeria interconnected through iXPN?

Are all data centres in Nigeria hosting on IXPN? No, but there are quite a number of them that are hosted at IXPN. We run the IXPN here and we are pleased with our relationship. iXPN is strategically located in the country to localize and optimize content/traffic as much as possible. The growth is really significant in terms of the volumes we are seeing through the IXPN.

Now, talking about interconnectivity, it is very important. Let’s look at carrier neutrality: a carrier is an operator that provides fibre connectivity, radio or satellite. They carry data from A to B. Telcos like MTN, Glo, Airtel and so on, are carriers. If you are neutral it means you are not a carrier and the carriers are comfortable connecting to you because there is no competition between you and them. They don’t feel that any of their data or information will be used against them.

Every major carrier in the country is here in Rack Centre. If you want to get to Maiduguri or anywhere in the country, you will get there.

In fact, if you want to get to anywhere in Africa or around the world, you will; somehow. The reason is simple: we have the key Tier1 customers and pan-African facilities that cross-connect. We also have the added value of high quality carrier neutral environment at scale. So, it attracts the carriers. If you want to connect to Kaduna, Damaturu or anywhere else you can pick from the whole range of carriers and we will work out how to get there. Every bank here (in Lagos) connects to their branches in those far end States.

In terms of cost, what you will find is that, with time, hubs will start to emerge in some of the geo-political zones to deliver services closer to the point of use. We are going to witness that over the next three to four years, especially where you find more economic activities. It will allow us to optimise our footprints, nationally.

How is Rack Centre penetrating the West African Market?

Right now, we have customers that are located across different countries in West Africa. There are others who see the value of partnering with us. However, with the strength of brand we have now, we see the benefit of locating elsewhere in West Africa. A francophone kind of location is a good option. May people would think, ‘Oh, Ghana should be the next place’. Well, we reach Ghana through many options here. Do you want to go by Main One, Glo, MTN; we will take you to Ghana through any of them.

The benefit of being in a francophone is due to the synergy to address the needs around the West African area. We take a step at a time. In some of those countries are our competition, but competition is healthy. We have built ourselves to the market-leading position. The main thing is that the prepositions we take to those markets are real. We are going there with credibility and track record that is known.

Microsoft unveiled datacentre services in South Africa, recently. The likes of Facebook, Google, and even Microsoft offer services in Nigeria. Do you think we are going to see enough Foreign Direct Investment in datacentres infrastructure in Nigeria?

The fact that Microsoft hasn’t announced they are opening something in Nigeria doesn’t mean they won’t be coming here. So, there will definitely be Foreign Direct Investments  to Nigeria. Our location is fantastic. The statistics shows that Facebook has over 24million daily users in Nigeria. That is the about half the population of South Africa. Let’s not worry, they will come.

Domestic investments in Data Centres, are they adequate?

The potential market is significant and we are working hard to secure the investments to meet the market demands as efficiently as possible. It is up to us to make sure we attract the right investments.  Our fundamentals indicate the fact that the demand is there. We are going to double capacity this year. After that, we are looking at even doubling that, and another location.

What is the next phase for Rack Centre?

The next thing for us is get the scale doubled. We are already a megawatts company. That is a good psychological step to scaling. We are doing very exciting thing with the infrastructure we got here. We are not standing still; we are moving up and upgrading because there are challenges and opportunities and we are continuously looking out for ways to innovate and be prepared for the new frontiers.


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E-Business

Study Reveals Majority of IT Professionals Show Openness to Cyber Immunity

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The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with organisations seeking more robust ways to protect their digital assets. A recent global study conducted by Kaspersky reveals a growing shift toward proactive security strategies, particularly the adoption of Secure by Design development and Cyber Immunity – an innovative approach that embeds resilience directly into system architecture.

The study highlights that 90% of cybersecurity professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region are familiar with Secure by Design development. This methodology integrates security into the very fabric of a system from its inception, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

Such an approach is already employed in high-stakes industries like aerospace, where security cannot be bolted on later – it must be intrinsic. Despite its advantages, however, adoption has been slow due to challenges related to standardisation and cost.

Cyber Immunity is the next frontier in cybersecurity

Building on Secure by Design principles, Cyber Immunity takes cybersecurity a step further by creating systems that inherently resist attacks without the need for constant patching or additional security layers. The study reveals that most experts are familiar with Cyber Immunity but interpret it differently.

When asked what they associate with the term, 64% of respondents in the META region linked it to Secure by Design systems that remain resilient under attack, while 56% viewed it as a combination of technology and policy measures that block cybercriminal access. Another 48% connected it to highly skilled cybersecurity teams, indicating that while awareness is high, a unified understanding is still developing.

The growing demand for proactive security

One of the most striking findings is the optimism surrounding inherently secure systems. Over half of respondents in the META region (63%) believe it is already possible or definitely achievable to design systems capable of withstanding cyberattacks without relying on additional security solutions.

Another 32% think it might be possible, reflecting openness to this idea despite some uncertainty. This shift in mindset aligns with a broader industry trend: traditional reactive security measures are no longer sufficient.

With AI-powered threats and increasingly sophisticated attacks, organisations need solutions that do more than just detect breaches—they must prevent them by design.

Integrating Cyber Immunity into security strategies

The study emphasises that resilience, expertise, and flexibility will define the next generation of cybersecurity. While Secure by Design provides the methodology, Cyber Immunity represents the ultimate goal—systems so robust that they minimise reliance on external defences.

“For companies looking ahead, Cyber Immunity offers more than just protection — it brings clear business benefits. When systems are built to be secure from the ground up, there’s less need for constant updates, patches, and extra security tools. That means fewer costs, less strain on IT teams, and stronger, more reliable protection over time,” said Dmitry Lukiyan, Head of KasperskyOS Business Unit.

Most importantly in today’s threat landscape, Cyber Immunity offers robust protection against next-generation challenges — including AI-driven attacks capable of outmaneuvering traditional security measures.

When security becomes an intrinsic property of system architecture rather than an external addition, businesses gain more than just protection—they secure a competitive market advantage.

This proactive approach future-proofs critical infrastructure, enabling organisations to operate confidently even as threats evolve. It transforms cybersecurity from a defensive necessity into a strategic differentiator that accelerates digital transformation while mitigating risk.

As the cybersecurity environment becomes more complex, Cyber Immunity is emerging as a vital strategy. Organisations that adopt it now will not only enhance their protection but also position themselves ahead of the curve in an increasingly volatile digital world.

 


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Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, has launched its inaugural 2026 shopping campaign, Konga Jara, offering 25 per cent discount on Starlink internet kits alongside free nationwide delivery.

Konga launches Jara sales with 25% discount on Starlink kits, free delivery

Konga

The campaign, drawing from the Nigerian concept of “jara” — the extra value traders add to purchases — aims to deliver exceptional deals across categories, helping shoppers turn new year aspirations into reality through affordable technology and value-driven shopping.

To qualify for the Starlink discount, customers must purchase kits on Konga.com, activate them at starlink.com/activate, and email activation details to [email protected] for verification against Starlink’s records. Discounts are subject to terms and conditions.

Konga said spotlighting Starlink underscores reliable internet’s role in Nigeria’s digital economy, supporting work, learning, entrepreneurship and communication for households and businesses.

Mr Onochie Melvin, Head of Commercial Planning at Konga, said: “We listened carefully to what Nigerians said they needed to truly kickstart 2026 on the right footing. Reliable internet connectivity emerged as the foundation upon which other aspirations depend.”

He added: “Students need it for online learning, entrepreneurs need it to scale digital businesses, and professionals rely on it for remote work. This Starlink offer is not just about selling products; it is about removing barriers that prevent Nigerians from fully participating in the digital economy.”

Beyond connectivity, Konga Jara provides genuine products from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with transparent pricing, warranties and authenticity guarantees.

As a composite e-commerce ecosystem, Konga integrates shopping, payments and logistics for seamless nationwide access, with exclusive deals shared via its social media channels throughout the campaign.

Shoppers can explore offers at www.konga.com and follow Konga’s official pages for updates across the Konga Group.


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E-Business

Firm Identifies Global Scam Activity Linked to the Release of Avatar 3

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The premiere of Avatar 3 has taken place in several countries and has been accompanied by a noticeable increase in online interest. Amid the heightened attention surrounding the release, Kaspersky experts identified an increase in cyber-scam campaigns that exploit the movie’s launch and users’ desire to watch it online. The fraudulent websites target users across multiple regions, indicating attempts by attackers to reach a global audience.

The scam operates as follows: cybercriminals create suspicious websites that offer online access to the Avatar 3 movie. Attackers place particular emphasis on localisation, publishing the sites in multiple languages to attract users from different countries. However, the translations are often poorly executed and contain grammatical errors and inconsistencies, which may serve as indicators of fraudulent activity.

When users attempt to start the video, they are presented with a fake media player and prompted to register in order to obtain “full” or “unlimited” access to the film. As part of the registration process, users are asked to provide personal information, including an email address and mobile phone number.

At later stages, scammers may request additional data, including payment details, under the guise of activating a “free trial.” This creates risks of credential compromise, particularly if users reuse passwords across multiple services, and may also lead to financial losses.

“Cybercriminals consistently exploit major movie premieres to capture users’ attention and increase the effectiveness of their schemes. We advise accessing films only through official platforms and exercising caution when encountering websites that request personal or payment information. It is also important to use reliable security solutions to protect all devices, including mobiles,” comments Olga Altukhova, Senior web content analyst at Kaspersky.

 


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