Equinix acquires three Manila data centres as digital economy grows

Equinix has completed the acquisition of three data centres in Manila from Total Information Management to expand its services in the Philippines.

The data centre market in the Philippines has seen significant growth, reflecting a broader surge in the country's digital economy. According to government data, in 2024 the Philippines' digital economy reached USD $45 billion (PHP ₱2.5 trillion), accounting for 8.5% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product. This growth covers various sectors, including digital-enabling infrastructure, e-commerce and digital media.

The expansion of the digital economy has been attributed to several factors, such as an increasingly digital population, advancements in cloud development, and supportive government projects like the National Broadband Plan and the Digital Philippines Campaign. These trends are driving an increased need for high-performance digital infrastructure and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence.

The newly acquired facilities—labelled MN1, MN2 and MN3—are all carrier-neutral data centres providing more than 1,000 cabinets of capacity and room for future expansion. The MN2 facility, which has recently opened, on its own offers 500 cabinets. Equinix highlighted that this acquisition will enable the company to serve local and global customers seeking to enter or expand in the Philippine market without delay.

Equinix's global network currently supports more than 2,000 networks and holds nearly 40% of the market share for cloud service provider on-ramps in its operating regions. The Manila data centres are already home to major network service providers and four of the main internet exchanges in the city, offering a wide range of connectivity options for businesses operating in the Philippines.

Through partnerships with technology companies such as NVIDIA and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Equinix aims to facilitate connections for local organisations to over 10,000 companies in its worldwide ecosystem. The company says this will help address growing demand for digital infrastructure and encourage further development of artificial intelligence in the country.

Southeast Asia is regarded as a key growth region for international business and investment. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attracted a record USD $230 billion in foreign direct investment in 2023, even as global FDI saw a 10% decline, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. With an established network in countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, Equinix's expansion into the Philippines is planned to provide international customers and partners with the means to develop their digital infrastructure both locally and regionally.

Cyrus Adaggra, President, Asia-Pacific, Equinix, commented on the development by saying: "This expansion is instrumental in fostering interconnection, enabling our customers and partners to scale seamlessly and securely within one of the region's most dynamic digital economies. By broadening our footprint in the Southeast Asia region, we are not only expanding our digital platform but also supporting the development of cutting-edge AI services and technology, aligning with the governments' digital ambitions. This move reaffirms our commitment to empowering Philippines with innovative, world-class infrastructure to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world."

The three data centres in Manila join Equinix's existing network of more than 270 data centres across 75 metropolitan areas in 35 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region, the company operates 63 data centres in 17 key metropolitan locations, including facilities in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore. Equinix has also recently announced expansion plans in Thailand.

Equinix operates its facilities in Shanghai through a strategic partnership, indicating that the company's footprint continues to grow both through acquisitions and collaborations with local firms.