AFRICA – The leading independent data, voice and IP provider, Liquid Telecom has teamed up with Microsoft Gold Partner to expand availability of Microsoft Azure across its pan-African network.

The firms will make available Microsoft Azure’s cloud computing service through a direct terrestrial high speed fibre link across the continent.

Liquid Telecom’s customers will enjoy the benefits brought by a hybrid cloud solution such as low latency, high capacity, agility, security, compliance and resiliency to businesses.

Liquid Telecom will integrate Microsoft Azure Stack, connected via Microsoft ExpressRoute across its African data centers, adding to Microsoft’s Azure regions in South Africa.

The service is set to provide increased efficiencies and improved performance for business and public sector organisations operating in Africa, as well as multi-nationals with a presence in Africa.

SME’s, enterprises, public sector organisations and multi-nationals will have access to globally available services with local data residency and the benefits of low latency, high local capacity.

“We are delighted by the launch of Microsoft’s cloud regions in Africa, and by extending the reach of Microsoft Azure to an increasing number of countries and customers, Liquid Telecom is helping Africa realise its digital future,” said Nic Rudnick, Group CEO, Liquid Telecom.

“We offer customers a single, unified solution for their Microsoft Azure strategy. This is underpinned by an unrivalled fibre network, strategically located data centres, a hybrid cloud architecture covering Azure and the Azure Stack and an ExpressRoute connection to maximise the benefits of the cloud.

Together, Microsoft and Liquid Telecom are creating a modern business foundation for customers in Africa – one that inspires innovation, cloud-paced change, compliance and business growth.”

Liquid Telecom is leveraging on Microsoft’s trusted cloud principles of security, privacy, compliance, transparency and reliability.

The deal with Microsoft will enable Liquid Telecom to offer one-stop solution for cloud computing, connectivity, and professional services through Microsoft Azure and Azure Stack.

It already provides this modern hybrid cloud services in five countries- South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda with plans to role out the services in the Middle East, North and West Africa.

“This availability of Microsoft Azure, delivered from cloud regions in South Africa, answers the call from customers across Africa for a truly modern and hybrid cloud,” said Dean Erasmus, Azure Business Lead for Africa, Microsoft.

“It enables customers across the continent to simplify IT implementation and reap the benefits associated with cloud operating models, either hosted or delivered on-premise.

Liquid Telecom is a trusted partner of Microsoft with the breadth of their fibre network, data centre infrastructure, market reach and expertise to enable customers to realise their business objectives more quickly and effectively.”