Visa Launches First African Data Center in South Africa with R1 Billion Investment

Global payments giant Visa has officially commissioned its first data center on the African continent in Johannesburg, South Africa. This landmark investment is a core component of Visa’s long-term strategy to bolster digital payment infrastructure and accelerate digital transformation across Africa.

The state-of-the-art facility will serve as a continental hub, significantly enhancing the speed, security, and reliability of digital transactions for consumers, merchants, and financial institutions not only in South Africa but across the entire region.

In conjunction with the data center launch, Visa announced a substantial R1 billion (approximately $56.9 million USD) investment aimed at advancing digital growth initiatives throughout Africa. This funding will be directed toward several key areas, including:

• Expanding access to contactless and AI-driven payment technologies.
• Fostering innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
• Creating employment opportunities within the digital economy.
• Strengthening financial inclusion across underserved communities.

Michael Berner, Visa’s Group Country Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa, emphasized the strategic importance of the new facility. “This data centre is more than just infrastructure—it’s a launchpad for innovation and growth across Africa,” he said, highlighting its role in enabling next-generation technologies like generative AI to shape the future of payments.

The move has been welcomed by South African regulators. Tim Masela, a representative of the South African Reserve Bank, praised the initiative, noting that the country’s robust regulatory framework and advanced connectivity infrastructure make it an ideal host for such a critical financial facility.

A Dual-Anchor Strategy for Africa

Visa’s investment in South Africa is part of a broader, dual-anchor strategy for the continent. The Johannesburg launch follows Visa’s March 2025 announcement of its plans to establish a second African data center in Nigeria.

This upcoming facility in Nigeria is part of a wider investment strategy that has already seen Visa inject over $1 billion into the country’s digital economy. This includes a $200 million equity stake in Nigerian fintech giant Interswitch and strategic partnerships with companies like MoniePoint and ThriveAgric to expand financial services.

Together, the South African and Nigerian data centers represent a comprehensive approach to the African market. While South Africa offers regulatory stability and established infrastructure, Nigeria brings unparalleled fintech dynamism and innovation. By investing in both physical infrastructure and local ecosystems, Visa is cementing its position as a central enabler of Africa’s digital financial future.

The launch also aligns with a broader trend of global technology firms, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon Web Services, increasing their infrastructure investments in South Africa, recognizing its strategic importance as a digital gateway to the rest of the continent.