Amazon Web Services (AWS) Direct Connect officially launched in Cape Town
Amazon Web Services (AWS) officially launched its Africa region in Cape Town this week, marking another positive advancement in the availability and development of Africa’s cloud infrastructure. With AWS direct connect, the region comprises three availability zones that will enable African developers, enterprises, government organisations, and a host of other industries to build cloud applications and store their data locally, while reaching end-users across Africa with even lower latency.
AWS Direct Connect allows clients to connect directly to their AWS resources in an AWS direct connect location. Teraco has been an AWS Direct Connect partner since 2017, with the AWS Direct Connect locations in Teraco’s Johannesburg and Cape Town data centre facilities. With over 250 network providers located at these facilities, AWS is within Africa’s reach.
AWS Direct Connect is accessible via a direct cross-connect within Teraco through the Africa Cloud Exchange (ACX) platform. This platform offers predictable, high performance, SLA-based connections. ACX is the ideal location to build cloud and on-premises hybrid architecture solutions, enabling improved network performance, reduced costs, and improved security.
AWS expanding its global footprint and the opening of AWS Direct Connect in Cape Town is excellent news for the continent. Jan Hnizdo, Teraco CEO, says: “AWS’s presence will significantly impact African-based enterprise and local cloud service providers, enabling them to deliver better end-user experiences. Lower latency and increased resilience will enhance the overall user experience and AWS Direct Connect in Africa will assist in meeting clients’ data locality and sovereignty requirements.
“Africa is fundamental to any global footprint, and holds the promise of significant growth and immense user uptake over the next decade. Of significance is the role of the internet and cloud deployments within Africa, and how improved access and affordability will assist sectors such as agriculture, communications, education, and financial services to prosper and grow.”
The entry by large public cloud infrastructure providers such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, and Huawei into the African market, and recent public announcements by Oracle, has changed the cloud conversation from the relevance of cloud to the reality of a relevant offering for the African market.
