Visa Launches First Africa Data Centre in Johannesburg, Invests ₦57 Billion in Digital Future
Written by Joseph Okafor | Published July 24, 2025 | Johannesburg, South Africa
In a landmark development that signals a major leap in Africa’s digital economy, Visa Inc. has officially launched its first African data centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. The global financial services giant is investing ₦57 billion (R1 billion or approximately US$57 million) over the next three years to expand its footprint and technological infrastructure across the continent.
The newly opened facility is fully integrated into VisaNet, the company’s global transaction processing network, which handles more than 100 billion payments annually in over 200 countries. The Johannesburg data centre will not only reduce latency in transactions across sub-Saharan Africa but also improve resilience, efficiency, and security within the continent’s fast-growing digital payments ecosystem.
Speaking at the launch event, Visa South Africa Country Manager Lineshree Moodley said the investment was a reflection of the company’s commitment to Africa’s potential as a digital powerhouse.
“When we look at South Africa, we really see it as a digital innovator and a digital leader on the continent,” Moodley said.
Visa’s expansion comes at a critical time. Africa’s digital payments market is projected to grow to US$1.5 trillion by 2030, driven by mobile money, fintech innovations, and the increasing adoption of e-commerce across urban and rural communities.
South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, described the move as “a bold vote of confidence” in South Africa’s political stability and technological infrastructure.
The facility is expected to catalyze financial inclusion and accelerate the adoption of digital services in sectors such as retail, education, and healthcare. Analysts say the centre will also support local fintech start-ups and create new jobs in cybersecurity, engineering, and financial innovation.
Visa plans to further deepen its collaborations with African banks, mobile money operators, and e-commerce platforms, cementing its long-term strategy to become a digital backbone for African economies.
