Why is edge computing the next big thing in Africa?

Businesses across South Africa and the rest of the continent are making strides towards edge computing. The data centre market is booming and there is a widespread shift towards edge data centres as companies adopt next-gen applications, advanced technologies and strive for greater control over their data.

According to market intelligence research company, DC Byte, South Africa is at the forefront of edge data centre development in Africa. Out of more than 40 edge data centres on the continent, between 80% and 90% are located here in South Africa. This growth is spurred on by the immediate delivery of services and heavy investments.

Similarly, research conducted by NTT reveals that 78% of enterprises investing in the edge are solving real-world business challenges. In fact, 8 out of 10 businesses expect their dependency on edge computing services to grow over the next two years alone. So why is this networking technology gaining traction right now?

Edge computing growth in Africa

The CEO of DC Byte, Ed Galvin, believes that this rapid expansion of edge computing is set to triple in the coming years. He says that new investments and initiatives mean that hundreds of edge data centres are in development across the continent. His sentiments are shared by other industry experts.

“With the use of technologies like telemedicine and mobile money, Africa has been leapfrogging in technological change,” explains the CTO of Digital Power at Huawei, Sanjay Sainani. He was one of the panellists at the recent Pan-African Data Centres Conference, held in Sandton, Johannesburg.

“Investments in edge allow data centres to offer their services right in the centre of where consumers are situated, and provide them with those services in the shortest time possible,” adds Sainani. This accelerates data-driven decision-making and unlocks rapid development for businesses.

How edge data centres differ from traditional ones

Edge data centres are much smaller than hyperscale data centres and they have the ability to combine edge computing with hyperscale connectivity to process vast quantities of data with minimal latency.

“Edge data centres offer several advantages over traditional data centres. First, their proximity to end-users reduces latency and improves network performance, resulting in faster access to data and applications, enhancing user experiences and enabling real-time interactions,” says Galvin.

“Additionally, by processing data closer to the source, edge data centres help reduce network congestion and the volume of data transmitted over long distances,” he adds. This allows newer technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), to be utilised by businesses with optimal efficiency.

“The proliferation of edge data centres across Africa presents opportunities for 5G operators, fibre operators and internet service providers. These facilities offer colocation services, rooftop access and high-speed network interconnectivity between sites, enabling diverse routing options,” explains Galvin.

Is edge computing the right fit for your company?

If your enterprise is struggling with the fragmented management of computers, connectivity and IoT devices, then edge computing could offer a reprieve. Companies that combine connectivity and edge technologies are reporting more benefits than those businesses that stick to a segregated legacy approach.

According to the research done by NTT, existing network infrastructure can handle edge requirements but some enterprises are upgrading their networks to support potential spikes in connected devices and applications. In South Africa, nearly 66% of enterprises that have deployed edge computing have also organised wide area network (WAN) upgrades.

Many enterprises are turning to managed service providers (MSPs) to help them navigate this new technology and to act as a single point of contact and accountability. “Achieving the edge advantage will require end-to-end solutions with holistic management and uncompromising accountability,” states the EVP of new ventures and innovation at NTT, Shahid Ahmed.

Why SA firms are deploying edge computing

While the motivation for adopting edge computing will vary from industry to industry, most companies in South Africa agree that supporting network growth and improving operational efficiency are leading drivers of investment. Edge computing allows businesses to anticipate market changes and turn their data into competitive advantages.

Local companies already using edge computing all agree that the technology improves the use of data for decision-making and boosts supply chain efficiency and resilience. Most businesses also agree that edge computing increases employees’ experience and efficiency, as well as streamlines business processes.

Challenges to overcome

Like every new technology that is launched, there are some hurdles to overcome. Implementing effective edge computing requires tight orchestration of hardware, platforms, systems and devices. It also requires consistent operational performance without compromising security.

It can be a complex environment but edge computing is a future-forward technology that holds numerous benefits for enterprises. This is why many companies have chosen to work with trusted MSPs and network experts. SEACOM offers several connectivity and networking services to enterprises in South Africa. We offer other managed services and have direct access to a wide web of network infrastructure and data centres. For more information about these services or to get a quote, email us at marketing@seacom.com or leave us a message.

SEACOM owns Africa’s most extensive network of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, including subsea cables and secure internet connections. We offer a diverse range of flexible, scalable and high-quality solutions for businesses that meet world-class standards for connectivity.

SEACOM is privately owned and operated, making it agile and adaptable to the needs of the customer. This makes us the preferred ICT and internet connectivity partner for African businesses and peripheral service providers. We can guarantee high-speed, low-latency and secure internet connections to corporates and small enterprises.

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