In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in Nigeria, HostAfrica has announced the acquisition of Naijawebhost, a prominent local web hosting company. This acquisition is HostAfrica’s second significant investment in Nigeria, following its purchase of DomainKing in 2021. These investments underscore HostAfrica’s growing influence in Africa’s web hosting industry.
Naijawebhost, founded in 2019 by Joseph Dennis Zaman as w3naija, later rebranded, has established a substantial market presence in Nigeria. Initially a web design agency, the company transitioned to web hosting in 2020, quickly building a strong customer base. Zaman remarked, “Joining forces with HostAfrica represents an exciting chapter for Naijawebhost. Our customers will now benefit from HostAfrica’s extensive resources and exceptional service.”
Michael Osterloh, CEO of HostAfrica, echoed this sentiment. “This strategic move underscores our commitment to expanding our footprint in Nigeria. Naijawebhost has a strong customer base and a solid reputation for delivering quality service, which aligns perfectly with our mission to offer top-rated hosting solutions across Africa,” he said.
This acquisition is part of HostAfrica’s broader strategy to dominate the African web hosting market. The company has been acquiring various local hosting companies to expand its network. Since its inception in 2015, HostAfrica has acquired several companies, including Greycell CC, AmpleHosting, Gweb Hosting, Hob Host, Divine Online Solutions, and Clickworks Internet Ltd.
HostAfrica’s expansion is driven by the vast potential of Africa’s online market. With the continent’s rapidly growing internet penetration and increasing digitalization of businesses, the demand for reliable web hosting services is soaring. Nigeria, with its large and dynamic economy, represents a particularly lucrative market.
HostAfrica’s acquisitions are strategically chosen. For instance, the acquisition of DomainKing in 2021 allowed HostAfrica to leverage DomainKing’s 6% market share in Nigerian domains to strengthen its foothold in the country. The company emphasizes minimal disruption during transitions, ensuring uninterrupted service for customers.
This strategy appears to be paying off. HostAfrica has experienced significant growth, not just in Nigeria but in key markets, such as Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Global. Its services, including web hosting, domain registration, dedicated servers, and VPS/cloud servers, are recognized for their reliability and affordability, tailored to meet the unique needs of African businesses.
“What started off as a small hosting company is steadily becoming a force to be reckoned with in Africa. Yes, we’ve only specifically entered four countries so far, but at the rate we’re going, I have full faith that we’ll eventually make hosting available to anyone with an internet connection in Africa. And not simply to provide a hosting service, but to uplift the continent as a whole and level the playing field,” Michael Osterloh, Managing Director of HostAfrica.
However, HostAfrica faces competition in the market. Competitors like GigaLayer and HoganHost are also making strategic moves. GigaLayer recently merged with the Russian-owned, Czech-based web hosting company HUB8, further consolidating its position in the African market. HoganHost, one of Nigeria’s leading web hosting companies, has adopted a strategy of buying out smaller hosting companies, offering them a smooth exit from the industry.
According to Statista, revenue in the African web hosting market is projected to reach $2.62 billion in 2024. A key trend in the market is the growth of local hosting providers. As more businesses seek hosting solutions tailored to their specific needs, many are turning to local providers for personalized support and services. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards managed hosting solutions, as businesses outsource the management of their hosting infrastructure to third-party providers.
Customers in Africa are increasingly seeking reliable web hosting services that offer high uptime, fast loading speeds, and excellent customer support. Many businesses also look for scalable solutions that can grow with their needs as they expand their online presence. Additionally, there is a rising demand for cloud-based hosting solutions, as businesses take advantage of the flexibility and cost savings of cloud computing.
Despite HostAfrica’s progress, the United States continues to dominate the global web hosting industry in terms of market share, with 51.42% of the world’s web hosting providers. The top three web hosting companies, GoDaddy, Google Cloud Platform, and Amazon Web Services, are all based in the United States.
HostAfrica, one of South Africa’s leading cloud service providers, is known for its comprehensive range of hosting services. Since its inception in 2015, the company has grown to include seven hosting brands, offering web hosting, VPS, cloud servers, and dedicated servers. With a vision to uplift Africa through cloud technology, HostAfrica continues to innovate and expand, setting new standards in the industry.