Exciting news for tech enthusiasts and businesses across Africa – Microsoft Azure services are now at your doorstep, courtesy of our brand-new cloud regions in Johannesburg (South Africa North) and Cape Town (South Africa West), South Africa. This momentous occasion signifies Microsoft's leap into the African continent with our first enterprise-grade data centers, setting a pioneering milestone as the first global provider to offer cloud services from within Africa.
Why does this matter? Well, it's all about bringing the power of the cloud closer to home. By establishing data centers in Africa, Microsoft is not only enhancing scalability, availability, and resilience for organizations but also addressing crucial aspects like data residency, security, and compliance. Our expertise in safeguarding data and navigating complex security and privacy requirements means that businesses across Africa can trust us to provide robust solutions.
With this expansion, Microsoft now boasts a global network of 54 regions, connecting the dots between South Africa and the rest of the world. This not only opens doors to new business opportunities but also paves the way for accelerated global investments and improved access to cloud and internet services throughout Africa. Our interconnected cloud regions ensure seamless service delivery, thanks to our extensive global network spanning over 100,000 miles (161,000 kilometers) of terrestrial fiber and subsea cable systems.
But that's not all – we're not stopping at South Africa. Our network footprint now extends to Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, and beyond. Through initiatives like trans-Arabian paths between India and Europe and trans-Atlantic systems like Marea, Microsoft is bridging geographical gaps, making the global cloud more accessible than ever for African organizations and citizens.
Stay tuned as we continue to innovate and expand our reach across Africa, empowering businesses and individuals alike to harness the full potential of the cloud. The future is bright, and Microsoft is proud to be a part of Africa's digital transformation journey.