Lokesh invites Capgemini to boost Visakhapatnam IT hub

Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a key destination for IT and data centre operations, with the State’s IT Minister Nara Lokesh actively courting global technology firms. On Thursday (March 12), Mr. Lokesh met Capgemini CEO Aiman Ezzat in Visakhapatnam, urging the company to establish a Global Capability Centre (GCC) and dedicated service centres for cloud and BPM operations in the city—a move that could generate around 20,000 jobs.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Lokesh highlighted the city’s rapid emergence as an IT hotspot, noting that major companies such as Cognizant and TCS have already established operations, and that construction for the country’s largest Google data centre is expected to begin soon. He emphasised that Visakhapatnam offers a unique IT ecosystem and all the infrastructure advantages companies need to scale their operations.

The Minister also pointed to upcoming infrastructure developments, including the Bhogapuram International Airport, expected to be inaugurated within three months, which would further boost the city’s connectivity and growth prospects. He proposed that Capgemini collaborate with Andhra Pradesh universities to establish Emerging Technology Labs, consider setting up a dedicated quantum vertical, and participate in developing the proposed Quantum Valley.

Responding to the proposals, Mr. Ezzat said Capgemini would review them. He highlighted that the company, founded in Paris in 1967, employs about 3.4 lakh people globally, with nearly two lakh in India, and provides services in strategy and transformation, cloud, data and AI, digital engineering, enterprise platforms, managed services, and cybersecurity. Capgemini operates from 13 Indian cities, including Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Noida, Kolkata, Gurugram, and Bhubaneswar, and has an annual revenue of $23.9 billion.

Capgemini India CEO Sanjay Chakke and WNS Global CEO Keshav Murugesh were also present at the meeting.