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Visa Inc. has officially launched its first data centre on the African continent, marking a major milestone in its commitment to supporting the region’s growing digital economy. The Johannesburg-based facility, unveiled on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, is part of a broader R1 billion (approximately $57 million) investment in South Africa over the next three years.
Announcing the launch, Michael Berner, Visa’s Head of Southern and East Africa, described the facility as a critical pillar of Visa’s long-term strategy for Africa.
“Visa remains deeply committed to the economic growth of the continent. Building this data centre—one of the very few outside our core global hubs in the US, UK, and Singapore—is a testament to that commitment,” Berner stated.
The new data centre significantly expands Visa’s global processing capabilities through its VisaNet platform, which facilitates over 100 billion transactions annually across more than 200 countries and territories.
According to a recent Mastercard-commissioned report by Genesis Analytics, Africa’s digital payments sector is on track to hit $1.5 trillion by 2030, driven by improved internet access and growing financial inclusion. In South Africa alone, over 60% of face-to-face payments are now contactless—a shift highlighting the nation’s leadership in digital adoption.
“South Africa has firmly established itself as a digital trailblazer on the continent,” said Lineshree Moodley, Visa’s Country Manager for South Africa. “This data centre not only strengthens our local capabilities but also serves as a launch pad for innovative payment solutions across Africa.”
Moodley further noted that the R1 billion investment forms part of a broader $1 billion commitment to the continent over five years, first announced by Visa in 2022.
The strategic investment has also been hailed by South Africa’s government as a key driver of local economic empowerment.
“This data centre affirms South Africa’s position as a preferred investment destination,” said Communications Minister Solly Malatsi. “It enhances our digital infrastructure, reduces reliance on overseas systems, and reinforces our national financial sovereignty.”
Visa’s latest move signals growing confidence in Africa’s potential as a hub for financial innovation, and sets the stage for deeper digital transformation across the region.
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