Alibaba Cloud has launched its Edge Node Service (ENS) in South Africa, advancing its digital infrastructure in Africa by bringing high-performance edge computing closer to users through deployments within local ISP data centres, according to a press release.
This localised edge deployment enables businesses across South Africa to achieve lower latency, enhanced data compliance, and reduced cross-border data transfer costs. With industries like e-commerce, gaming, video streaming, finance, and manufacturing demanding faster, more secure digital services, the ENS platform offers a tailored solution for real-time processing and improved user experiences.
Eric Wan, Vice President of International Business and General Manager for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, emphasised Africa’s growing role in the global digital economy: ‘Africa is on the verge of a major digital leap. With the combined power of cloud and AI, we have a unique opportunity to co-create technology solutions that address local challenges and unlock economic growth.’
Wan also pointed to AI as a key engine for the company’s growth, highlighting Alibaba Cloud’s recent innovations, including its open-source Qwen3 model. He noted the importance of building cloud solutions that are both cutting-edge and rooted in the local context.
The South African rollout aligns with Alibaba Cloud’s broader strategy of ‘In Local, for Local’ – a commitment to developing infrastructure, partnerships, and skills within the markets it serves. Since entering South Africa in 2022 through a partnership with BCX, Alibaba Cloud has steadily grown its ecosystem, working with telecom providers, software vendors, system integrators, and start-ups to drive cloud adoption and support digital transformation projects across sectors.
In addition to infrastructure and partnerships, Alibaba Cloud is investing in local skills development through training programmes for engineers and developers. Its goal is to empower South African businesses to harness global technology while fostering local innovation and capacity.
