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Nnamani Upbeat on Digital Realty’s $500m Investment, Says it will Boost Nigeria’s Digital Economy
Following the acquisition of Medallion Data Centres, Nigeria’s leading colocation and interconnection provider by Digital Realty, the largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data center, Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, Chief Executive Officer of Medallion Data Centres Limited (formerly Medallion Communications Limited), has said that the investment is a major boost towards Nigeria’s quest for a fully digital economy in the near future.
Ikechukwu Nnamani / William Stein
“The entrance of Digital Realty into Nigeria is truly significant as it ensures that the plan by the Federal Government of Nigeria to create a fully digital economy will be actualized,” he said in a statement today in Lagos following the announcement by Digital Reality.
Engr. Nnamani, expressed delight at the successful conclusion of the transaction and pointed out that Nigeria as a country is the biggest beneficiary of this development. According to him, for Nigeria to transition to a fully digital economy, it will need next generation telecom infrastructure of which datacenters is a critical part.
“None of the global digital content and cloud service providers has their storage or compute nodes in Nigeria or any of the West African countries. To attract global players in the telecom and ICT space to Nigeria, we must have world class datacenters operating at hyperscale level.
“Although Medallion has a robust datacenter business and rated as one of the best datacenter operator in the region, we realized we needed a global player with international experience to work with if we are to fulfill the expectation of the emerging datacenter market in the sub-region,” the statement added.
This prompted Medallion to structure investment with Digital Realty, largest global provider of cloud- and carrier-neutral data centers, colocation and interconnection solutions. Digital Realty supports the world’s leading enterprises and service providers by delivering the full spectrum of data centre, colocation and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL®, the company’s global data centre platform, provides customers a trusted foundation and proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx™) solution methodology for scaling digital business and efficiently managing data gravity challenges. Digital Realty’s global data centre footprint gives customers access to the connected communities that matter to them with 291 facilities in 47 metros across 24 countries on six continents. Digital Realty currently maintains over 167,000 cross connects and client base of over 4,000 customers.
Apart from upgrading the Medallion existing datacenters to global standards, new world class datacenters will be built in the West African sub-region leading to job creation, rapid acceleration of the digital economy, and much needed foreign direct investment into the sub-region
The combination of the strong regional presence of Medallion, together with Digital Realty’s continued investment in PlatformDIGITAL, the company’s global data centre platform – will support customers in Nigeria and the continent as they navigate digital transformation strategies and the complexities of rapidly growing demand, the need for global coverage, and additional capacity.
Digital Reality had earlier this week in its attempt to foray significantly into the African datacenter market, which many analysts and industry watchers described as untouched, announced the investment of $500million into the African datacenter ecosystem with a huge part of the investment going into the Nigerian market.
The investment is through a joint venture with the Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund. Also, as part of the transaction, the joint venture is also acquiring a land parcel adjacent to the hitherto Medallion Lagos data centre to provide near-term expansion capacity with Medallion’s management team, led by CEO and Co-Founder Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani still leading the business.
Speaking on the investment, William Stein, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Realty, said there is a need to tap into the Africa’s expanding internet economy, noting that over the next decade, there will be huge opportunity for global businesses to tap into with predictions that it could reach 5.2 percent of the continent’s GDP by 2025, contributing nearly $180 billion to its economy up from $115 billion in 2020.
“Starting with Medallion Data Centres in Nigeria, Digital Realty aims to be a core enabler of African economy through major investment in the continent’s internet infrastructure, that serves over one billion people who do not yet have proper access to the benefits of internet,” he said.
William disclosed that the expansion of Digital Realty into the African internet infrastructure is a leap forward but it is just the start of a $500 million commitment to investment in the continent over the next decade, stressing Digital Realty sees a huge opportunity to underpin Africa’s expanding internet economy and ultimately, play a central role in its growth.
This makes the first time a global pure real estate investment trust (REIT) will be entering the country and beats rivals including Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX), CyrusOne (NYSE: CONE), and CoreSite Realty (NYSE: COR) on entrance into the market. The presence of REITs like Digital Realty in any country is the first step towards the establishment of local content and infrastructure by global hyperscale service providers whose services digitally transform the country of operation.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of African technology, few figures bridge the gap between high-level research and grassroots digital execution as effectively as Nnaemeka Ani.
Nnaemeka Ani
As the Founder of MGX Research Center and the visionary behind MexyGabriel, Ani has emerged as a leading protagonist in the narrative of Nigeria’s technological self-reliance.
The Visionary: Founding MGX Research
At the heart of Ani’s philosophy is MGX Research, a center dedicated to “first-principles thinking.” Under his leadership, the center has become a beacon for data-driven innovation, moving beyond the “hype” of the tech world to focus on persistent, localized solutions.
Through MGX Research Center, he is building a multidisciplinary ecosystem that cuts across artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, smart cities, digital identity, e-governance, EdTech, HealthTech, robotics, and automation
Ani’s mantra – “Africa’s rise begins with its own innovation” – is not just a slogan; it is a call to arms for African builders to stop seeking international validation and start authoring their own digital destiny.
As Founder and CEO of MexyGabriel Tech Company, Nnaemeka has driven multiple large-scale technology projects across Nigeria, focusing on digital infrastructure, enterprise solutions, identity and payment platforms, and youth-centered innovation programs. MGX Research Center functions as the research and development arm of this broader ecosystem, providing the thinking laboratory, prototypes, and strategic insights that inform products, policies, and investment decisions.
Nnaemeka is passionate about youth empowerment, innovation, and Africa’s digital future. His work through MGX Research Center aims to position Nigeria not just as a consumer of technology but as a creator of solutions, producing world-class research, thought leadership, and practical tools that can be deployed across states, universities, and private organizations.
He frequently collaborates with universities, government ministries, tech hubs, and global partners, championing a model where research is not locked up in theory but translated into deployable systems, smart policies, and scalable ventures.
Ani has demonstrated a unique ability to turn complex code into commercial and social value. His work has focused on:
- Infrastructure for Good: Developing platforms that bridge the divide between urban tech hubs and rural communities.
- Sovereign Technology: Championing the idea that African data should be managed by African-built systems.
The Public Servant: Digitizing Enugu State
Ani’s influence extends into the corridors of power. Serving as the Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on ICT, he has been instrumental in transforming the state into a burgeoning digital ecosystem.
His work in Enugu serves as a blueprint for “Governance-Tech Synergy,” proving that when political will meets technical expertise, public service delivery can be revolutionized.
“We are no longer just ’emerging’; we are competing. Africa will rise by code, by courage, and by us,” said Nnaemeka Ani.
Quick Facts: Nnaemeka Ani
Category | Detail |
Current Roles | Founder, MGX Research; Founder, MexyGabriel; SA on ICT to Enugu State Governor. |
Core Philosophy | “First-Principles Thinking” – Breaking problems down to their core truths. |
Key Advocacy | Digital Sovereignty, Sovereign AI, and localized STEM education. |
Notable Mantra | “By Code and By Courage.” |
Why He Matters in 2026
As Nigeria enters a transformative year marked by the January 1, 2026 Tax Reforms and the push toward 70% Broadband Penetration, Ani represents the “New Guard” of leadership. He is one of the few voices consistently advocating for the Tripod Method, balancing technology, local policing, and traditional authority, to ensure that Nigeria’s digital growth is matched by national security.
Nnaemeka Ani is not just as a “tech guy,” but as a Strategic Reformer. He is a “Leader to Watch” because he understands that for technology to thrive in Nigeria, it must be supported by sound policy and cultural relevance.
MTN Nigeria has hosted the Prestige Experience, a refined evening of culture, connection and celebration, as part of its ongoing Y’ellotide initiative marking the Yuletide season.
MTN Nigeria
The event, held on Friday at The Royal Box, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together customers, partners, stakeholders, and dignitaries in an atmosphere of appreciation and festivity.
The Prestige Experience showcased Nigerian creativity and elegance through a curated blend of fine dining, fashion, and music. Guests were treated to Michelin-inspired cuisine prepared by renowned Chef Stone, fashion showcases highlighting African heritage, and soulful performances by acclaimed singer Asa.
The evening was anchored by popular hosts Ebuka Obi-Uchendu and Michelle Dede, with comedic interludes from veteran comedian Alibaba.
Speaking at the event, Dr Ernest Ndukwe (OFR), Chairman of MTN Nigeria, described the gathering as an expression of gratitude and partnership. He said the Prestige Experience reflected MTN’s appreciation for the trust Nigerians continue to place in the brand.
“The MTN Prestige Experience is a cornerstone of our commitment to you, our valued partners. Your trust and continued patronage are the bedrock of our success, and this gathering reflects our appreciation for that trust.
“We are not just a service provider but are committed to being a trusted partner in Nigeria’s progress,” Ndukwe said.
In his remarks, Dr Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, emphasised the importance of genuine connection during the festive season.
“We recognise the immense value of the relationships we have built together, and we are committed to ensuring that your experience remains unparalleled.
“You are essential partners in our journey, and we look forward to many more years of shared success and collaboration,” Toriola said.
Distinguished guests at the event included members of MTN’s Board and Executive Management, industry leaders, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives from the creative sector, reflecting the diversity and richness of the MTN ecosystem.
The Prestige Experience forms part of MTN’s broader Y’ellotide celebrations, which reaffirm the company’s belief that meaningful connections and shared experiences remain central to its relationship with Nigerians.
Google has unveiled a new feature that allows Gmail users to change their existing email addresses without losing data or access to services, marking a major shift in the company’s long-standing policy.
Gmail
According to an update on Google’s account help page, the new option enables account holders to replace their current @gmail.com address with a new one while retaining all associated data, including emails, photos, and integrations with services such as Google Drive, Maps, and YouTube.
The guidance, however, was first spotted on the Hindi version of Google’s support page, suggesting that the rollout may begin in India or Hindi-speaking markets before expanding globally.
The English-language support page still carries the older advisory that Gmail addresses “usually cannot be changed.”
Google explained that under the new policy, users who update their Gmail address will automatically keep their original address as an alias.
This means emails sent to the old address will continue to arrive in the inbox, and the original address will remain valid for signing in to Google services.
Previously, users seeking a new Gmail address had to create an entirely new account and manually transfer their data, a process that often disrupted third-party app integrations. The new feature eliminates that inconvenience, ensuring continuity for users.
The company further clarified that while users can reuse their old Gmail address at any time, accounts that change their address will face certain restrictions.
These include a 12-month waiting period before another new Gmail address can be created, and the inability to delete the newly chosen address once it has been set.
Google assured users that all existing data would remain intact after an address update, including stored photos, messages, and emails.
The gradual rollout of the feature indicates that full global adoption is expected in the coming months, a move likely to be welcomed by millions of users who have long requested the ability to update their Gmail identities without starting afresh.
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