As the global race for artificial intelligence intensifies, Africa’s underlying digital infrastructure, from subsea cables to terrestrial fibre networks and data centres, remains largely misunderstood by the public. In response, Africa Hyperscalers convened a high level media workshop in Lagos aimed at equipping journalists with a deeper understanding of the continent’s digital backbone and its economic implications.
The workshop brought together media professionals and key infrastructure operators including Rack Centre, Open Access Data Centres, and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria. The central goal was to shift public discourse from a narrow focus on internet access to a broader examination of infrastructure economics, particularly as Nigeria positions itself for an AI driven industrial transformation.
Speaking at the event, Temitope Osunrinde, Executive Director of Africa Hyperscalers, described digital infrastructure as the new essential utility, comparable to roads, ports and power systems in its importance to national development. He stressed that credible narratives capable of attracting long term investment depend on a media that understands how these complex systems function and what is required to build and sustain them.
A key session examined the journey of data from international subsea cable landing stations to end users on local networks. Adebola Adefarati of Rack Centre and Gbenga Adegbiji of Geniserve led discussions on how international bandwidth enters the country and moves through data centres and fibre networks before reaching businesses and households, highlighting the technical and financial layers involved in delivering reliable connectivity.
The importance of reducing latency by localising internet traffic was another major focus. Muhammed Rudman, Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, pointed to the need for more local peering arrangements to keep Nigerian data within national borders. According to him, this approach not only reduces lag and improves user experience but also lowers internet costs and strengthens digital sovereignty. Such measures, he noted, are critical for supporting AI applications and real time financial technologies that depend on speed and stability.
The workshop also addressed the evolving role of journalism in an AI driven era. A session led by Toni Kan of The Media Training Room explored the ethical use of artificial intelligence in newsrooms, while a closing panel discussed the media’s responsibility in enabling digital infrastructure development. Panellists included Tayo Fagbule of CNBC West Africa, Obinna Adumike of Open Access Data Centres, Muhammed Rudman of IXPN, and Temitope Osunrinde.
Participants agreed that while AI tools may automate aspects of reporting, there remains a pressing need for technically informed journalism capable of tracking infrastructure projects, unpacking complex financing arrangements, and ensuring accountability across the sector.