The demand for digital infrastructure across Africa is growing rapidly, but behind that growth is a challenge the industry can no longer ignore: the shortage of skilled data centre engineers.
This reality played a key role in the launch of the Rack Centre Academy, a new training programme developed with training partner IBTC to help bridge that gap and develop the next generation of technical talent within Nigeria’s data centre ecosystem.
The Academy was officially unveiled at IoT West Africa 2026, bringing the conversation directly into one of the region’s most important digital infrastructure gatherings.
At its core, the programme responds to a clear industry gap. Many organisations still rely on fragmented, on-the-job training to build technical capability, even as demand for reliable and scalable infrastructure continues to grow.
For Rack Centre, addressing this challenge is not just operational, but foundational to the future of the ecosystem.
As Lars Johannisson, CEO of Rack Centre, explained:
“Infrastructure is only as strong as the people who manage it. We are at a point where the industry can either wait for the talent gap to widen or take active steps to close it. The Rack Centre Academy is our commitment to building that future workforce.”
The Rack Centre Academy is a fully sponsored, five-month programme designed for graduates in engineering, computer science, and related fields. It combines structured learning, internationally recognised certifications from Schneider electric and Epi, and practical exposure within a live, AI-ready data centre environment.
Supported by the African Data Centres Association (ADCA) and delivered alongside key certification partners, the programme ensures participants gain both globally recognised credentials and hands-on industry relevance.
What makes the Academy particularly unique is its practical focus. Participants do not only learn theory, but they also gain direct exposure to real infrastructure environments, covering operations, security, systems monitoring, and broader data centre management.
Ultimately, the initiative reflects a broader commitment from Rack Centre, not only to build world-class infrastructure, but to actively develop the ecosystem that sustains it.
Applications are now open via Rack Centre Academy
