CWG is building Africa’s digital backbone by redefining service delivery through scalable and innovative cloud services
Facing rising customer expectations for agility, scalability, and cost efficiency, headquartered in Nigeria, CWG Plc recognised that its existing infrastructure needed a significant overhaul. The traditional approach of relying on hardware procurement and fragmented systems was no longer sufficient to meet the needs of its diverse client base. Delays in deployment, unpredictable costs, and increasing demands for secure, localised solutions placed mounting pressure on the company to rethink its operational strategy.
As a leading system integrator with a presence in Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Dubai, CWG has for over 30 years provided solutions spanning software, hardware, and managed services. Its pioneering spirit is exemplified by its introduction of managed services to Nigeria over a decade ago, a move that solidified its position as a dominant force in the technology sector. This commitment to innovation is underpinned by CWG’s long-standing presence on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, a testament to its ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive market.
Today, CWG offers a range of services, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS), delivered through its private cloud infrastructure. This setup provides clients with access to scalable, secure solutions that can be rapidly deployed and efficiently managed. Whether supporting government agencies with gaming revenue platforms or helping businesses streamline operations with ERP systems, CWG’s solutions are tailored to meet the unique demands of Africa’s diverse markets.
“Our business is fast-paced and diverse, and we need to always stay ahead of the innovation curve. This necessitated a platform that could give us speed, reliability, and control over our costs. Our customers rely on us to meet their needs quickly and effectively, and we can’t afford to fall short,” says Afolabi Sobande, Chief Operating Officer at CWG.
Agility and Responsiveness
Private cloud enables rapid deployment of virtual machines and applications, allowing customers to start projects within minutes, enhancing project timelines and operational flexibility.
Cost Optimisation and Predictability
Subscription model offers clear and predictable view of TCO over five years, empowering cost-efficient service delivery while cascading savings directly to customers.
Enhanced Service Delivery
A robust and reliable infrastructure ensures uninterrupted performance for critical applications such as ERP systems, payment platforms, and gaming revenue solutions.
Innovation Enablement
Seamless integration with new technologies and existing solutions, fostering continuous innovation and expansion of its service offerings.
With Nutanix, we gained the ability to deploy infrastructure at an unprecedented speed. A customer can call us with a specific requirement, and within 30 minutes, we can deliver exactly what they need. This level of responsiveness has completely changed how we operate. It also really gave us the cost visibility we needed.
The complexity of CWG’s operations posed significant challenges. Customers across various sectors required tailored solutions deployed rapidly, but traditional hardware procurement processes were too slow to meet these demands. The costs of these were also becoming prohibitive.
Government agencies, for instance, depended on CWG’s gaming revenue platforms to collect revenue from casinos across the various states in Nigeria efficiently, while banks and small businesses relied on CWG’s ERP systems to support their operations. The inability to deliver infrastructure swiftly was a growing concern.
Financial predictability added another layer of difficulty. As a service provider, CWG needed to ensure its total cost of ownership was sustainable over the long term and that the costs of its services wouldn’t become inflated.
“Our business depends on cost optimisation. We needed to know that the solutions we invested in would allow us to plan our expenses accurately while maintaining our commitment to high-quality service delivery,” says Sobande.
In 2020, CWG partnered with Nutanix to transform its operations. By adopting the Nutanix Cloud Platform, CWG built a robust private cloud infrastructure that became the foundation of its service offerings. The platform’s scalability and reliability allowed CWG to host a variety of applications, including its ERP systems, gaming solutions, and payment platforms.
“With Nutanix, we gained the ability to deploy infrastructure at an unprecedented speed. A customer can call us with a specific requirement, and within 30 minutes, we can deliver exactly what they need. This level of responsiveness has completely changed how we operate. It also really gave us the cost visibility we needed,” adds Sobande.
The platform’s flexibility also enabled CWG to align with regulatory requirements for data sovereignty, particularly in regions where compliance is critical. The private cloud environment ensured that sensitive customer data remained secure and accessible within local jurisdictions.
The adoption of Nutanix has revolutionised CWG’s approach to service delivery. The agility of the platform has enabled the company to meet customer demands quickly, eliminating the delays traditionally associated with hardware procurement. Customers now enjoy faster project timelines, with infrastructure ready for deployment almost immediately.
“Cost optimisation is a core responsibility in my role, so understanding the total cost of ownership for our technology is critical. Nutanix allows me to maximise the value of our investment while ensuring we can support our customers with competitive pricing. The key is that the cost savings we achieve through Nutanix cascade directly to our customers. By reducing the cost of providing our services, we’re able to deliver greater value to them,” says Sobande.
“Nutanix’s subscription model is especially powerful because it provides predictability—over the next five years, I know exactly what our costs will be. That level of certainty makes planning and cost management far more effective, ultimately benefiting both us and our customers.”
This clarity has empowered CWG to optimise its pricing strategies, passing cost efficiencies on to its customers while maintaining healthy margins. Reliability and performance have also improved significantly. CWG’s private cloud infrastructure ensures uninterrupted service for its customers, a critical factor for applications such as payment platforms and ERP systems.
“Our customers often come to us with urgent needs, saying, ‘I need these virtual machines quickly for a project.’ With Nutanix, we can confidently respond, ‘Give us 20 to 30 minutes, and it’s ready.’ It’s that straightforward. This ability to deliver so quickly adds immense value for our customers,” says Sobande.
“For example, existing clients with new projects know they can start immediately without worrying about delays or the hassle of sourcing hardware. They simply call us and specify their requirements, and we can provision the infrastructure almost instantly. This efficiency has become a significant part of the value we provide.”
The compatibility of the Nutanix Cloud Platform with CWG’s existing systems has further enhanced its value. The company can integrate new technologies effortlessly, enabling continuous innovation and the development of additional service offerings.
CWG’s partnership with Nutanix marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter. The company plans to expand its private cloud footprint, integrating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and analytics to further enhance its services.
Sobande is optimistic about the future: “Our relationship with Nutanix is not just a collaboration. It’s a strategic alignment that supports our vision of driving technology innovation and harnessing new technologies across Africa.”
By leveraging Nutanix, CWG is not only addressing its operational challenges but also setting a new standard for service excellence in Africa’s technology sector. Its commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction ensures that it will remain a leader in the region for years to come.
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1/2025