Colocation giant Digital Realty has appointed a new regional lead for Africa.

The company last week announced the appointment of Marcel Louw as its managing director in Africa.

Digital said Louw will provide strategic leadership across Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Ghana. He will report to Paula Cogan, Digital Realty’s managing director of EMEA.

“Marcel’s extensive experience in infrastructure investment and fund management across Africa, the UK, and Europe will be instrumental in driving our next phase of growth on the continent,” said Cogan, managing director, EMEA. “His proven track record in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects aligns perfectly with our mission to support enterprises – both global and local – as they scale and innovate in Africa.”

Louw joins from Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers, an Africa-focused private equity fund manager, which he joined in 2012 and most recently served as investment director. In this role, he helped establish several funds and led major infrastructure investments, including data centers in a joint venture with Digital Realty. Prior to that, he spent five years at the Carlyle Group’s structured credit group in London and also held positions at Goldman Sachs in London and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Louw added: “Africa is one of the world’s most dynamic digital frontiers, and its influence on the global digital economy continues to grow. As the continent’s leading data center provider, Digital Realty is uniquely positioned to deliver the critical infrastructure that connects Africa to the world. Together with our talented team, we will continue to build the platforms that drive innovation, expand opportunity, and deepen Africa’s integration into the global digital ecosystem.”

Digital Realty has invested more than $2 billion in Africa to date. In addition to its presence in Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa, the company is expanding its network and data center capabilities across the continent.

Digital Realty entered Nigeria in 2021, acquiring Medallion Data Centers alongside African infrastructure investment firm Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund. In South Africa, Digital Realty acquired a majority stake in Teraco in January 2022. Digital took a majority stake in Kenya’s iColo alongside Pembani in 2019; the company moved into Mozambique around 2023.