The International Finance Corporation loan will help to operator expand its footprint in sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan African data centre builder and operator Raxio Group has signed an agreement for $100 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to accelerate the company’s expansion of facilities across the continent. The debt funding from IFC will help Raxio double its deployment of high-quality colocation data centres within three years, addressing growing demand in underserved markets across the continent. According to Ecofin, the continent represents only about 1% of global capacity.
The company is developing a Sub-Saharan African regional data centres in Ethiopia, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania and Angola.
Raxio said it is committed to bridging Africa’s digital divide by introducing Tier III-certified, carrier-neutral, and secure data services to markets that it reckons have been overlooked by other providers.
“Raxio’s business model shows how digital infrastructure can empower businesses, governments and communities to thrive in the digital economy,” said Sarvesh Suri, IFC regional industry director, infrastructure and natural resources in Africa. “This partnership between Raxio and IFC is set to strengthen Africa’s digital ecosystem and catalyse further investments and regional integration, building a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
IFC’s commitment builds on earlier debt funding from Proparco and the Emerging Africa Asia Infrastructure Fund (EAAIF), and equity investments from Roha Group and Meridiam. IFC’s financing includes concessional funding from the GROW Facility, which seeks to advance gender equity and inclusive economic growth through blended finance, and the IDA Private Sector Window, which supports private investment in the world’s poorest and most fragile markets.
With IFC’s endorsement, Raxio believes it is poised to accelerate its growth across its markets, while upholding the highest standards of reliability, scalability, and sustainability. “This funding from IFC is a powerful endorsement of Raxio’s vision and operational excellence,” said Raxio Group CEO Robert Skjødt (above). “It will allow us to bring critical infrastructure to the regions that need it most and attract further investment as we continue to grow. Together with our other partners, we’re building the foundation for Africa’s digital future and setting new benchmarks for sustainability.”
Tier III Uptime
Like many modern data centres, Raxio’s facilities are designed for 24/7 reliability, ensuring uninterrupted service. The company integrates renewable energy solutions to minimise its environmental footprint and uses energy-efficient equipment to reduce electricity and water consumption for cooling in several of its countries of operation.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Raxio said its Kinshasa facility is positioned to meet growing demand for data services in one of Africa’s largest and fastest-growing urban centres. In Côte d’Ivoire, Raxio is establishing a digital hub to serve Francophone West Africa, connecting regional markets and facilitating cross-border trade.
Founded in 2018 by Roha Group, Raxio’s expansion is being driven by new CEO Robert Skjødt who for the past decade has focused on Africa, where he led the creation of BTE, a pan-African renewable energy company, which was acquired by global energy giant Engie in 2023. Skjødt previously held senior positions at ABB, a global leader in power and automation technologies, where he oversaw complex infrastructure projects and M&A activity across multiple continents.