HOSTAFRICA, a leading player in Africa’s web hosting sector, has strengthened its presence in the West African market with the acquisition of Nigeria-based web hosting provider webmanager.ng. This move marks HOSTAFRICA’s fourth major investment in the region, underscoring its ambition to capture a significant share of the rapidly growing web hosting market in West Africa.
Founded in 2018 under the name Bazecity before rebranding to webmanager.ng, the Nigerian company has grown to become a respected and NiRA-accredited web hosting provider. With a focus on local knowledge and customer-centric services, webmanager.ng’s acquisition adds to HOSTAFRICA’s portfolio of regional assets. As Nigeria experiences a boom in internet usage and e-commerce, the acquisition positions HOSTAFRICA to capitalize on these opportunities.
Kizito Ibeh, founder and CEO of webmanager.ng, expressed optimism about the future under the HOSTAFRICA umbrella. “Joining forces with HOSTAFRICA allows us to further contribute to their mission of driving digital growth across Africa. This deal will help our customers access more advanced hosting solutions and resources,” Ibeh said.
HOSTAFRICA’s CEO, Michael Osterloh, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the strategic importance of Nigeria. “Growth and expansion are core to our vision of empowering users across Africa with cutting-edge hosting services. The acquisition of webmanager.ng reinforces our leadership in the Nigerian market, and we are excited to continue delivering innovative solutions to meet the region’s rising demand.”
Riding the Wave of Digital Growth
Nigeria is at the center of HOSTAFRICA’s expansion plans. The country’s web hosting market is projected to see a 19.52% revenue increase in 2024, fueled by its tech-savvy population and burgeoning e-commerce sector. The acquisition of webmanager.ng is a key component of HOSTAFRICA’s strategy to serve this growing market, ensuring businesses have the digital infrastructure to compete in a global economy.
This deal follows HOSTAFRICA’s recent acquisition of Naijawebhost in June 2023, further solidifying its presence in Nigeria. Naijawebhost, founded in 2019 by Joseph Dennis Zaman, transitioned from web design to web hosting, becoming a major player in the local market. HOSTAFRICA’s acquisition of Naijawebhost, along with the earlier purchase of DomainKing in 2021, demonstrates its commitment to a multi-phase investment strategy aimed at capturing market share across Africa’s key economies.
“With each acquisition, we are not only growing our network but ensuring that the quality of service remains seamless for our customers,” Osterloh added, highlighting HOSTAFRICA’s emphasis on smooth transitions for newly acquired companies.
The African Web Hosting Market: A Competitive Landscape
HOSTAFRICA’s expansion into Nigeria is part of a broader strategy to dominate the African web hosting market. Since its inception in 2015, the company has acquired several regional hosting brands, including South Africa’s AmpleHosting and Kenya’s Gweb Hosting, to diversify its presence across the continent. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including web hosting, domain registration, VPS, cloud servers, and dedicated servers.
However, competition in the African web hosting market is intensifying. Nigerian competitors like GigaLayer and HoganHost are making strategic moves to consolidate their positions. GigaLayer’s recent merger with the Russian-owned HUB8 is one example of how local firms are scaling up to compete with regional giants. Meanwhile, HoganHost has adopted a strategy of acquiring smaller hosting companies, seeking to streamline services and expand market share.
Despite growing competition, HOSTAFRICA remains confident in its long-term prospects. “What started as a small hosting company is steadily becoming a force in Africa,” Osterloh remarked. “Our goal is not just to provide hosting services, but to uplift the continent’s digital landscape by making world-class hosting accessible to everyone with an internet connection.”
Rising Demand for Web Hosting Services in Africa
Africa’s web hosting market is poised for significant growth, driven by the continent’s increasing internet penetration and the digitalization of businesses. According to Statista, revenue in the African web hosting sector is expected to reach $2.62 billion by 2024, with local providers playing an increasingly important role. Many African businesses are turning to local hosting companies for personalized support and tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of the region.
HOSTAFRICA’s growth trajectory is aligned with this trend. Its emphasis on local expertise and minimal service disruption during transitions has allowed the company to build trust with customers across multiple African markets. The company’s services, recognized for reliability and affordability, cater to a wide range of customers, from small businesses to large enterprises.
While Africa’s hosting industry grows, the global market remains dominated by U.S. companies such as GoDaddy, Google Cloud, and Amazon Web Services. These industry giants account for over 50% of the global web hosting market share. However, Africa’s local players, including HOSTAFRICA, are carving out a space for themselves by focusing on regional needs and offering scalable, cloud-based solutions.
HOSTAFRICA’s acquisitions in Nigeria are part of its broader goal to revolutionize web hosting across Africa. With a vision to “uplift Africa through cloud technology,” the company’s strategic investments in local brands are designed to bring cutting-edge digital solutions to the continent. As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, HOSTAFRICA’s presence in the region is expected to grow alongside it.
Despite the competition, HOSTAFRICA’s steady pace of acquisitions, coupled with its focus on innovation and customer service, positions the company as a leader in the African web hosting landscape. With further expansions likely in key markets, HOSTAFRICA appears poised to continue shaping the future of Africa’s digital infrastructure.