This three-story facility will store and process the country’s digital data, marking a significant step forward in the nation’s digital transformation.

The project is funded with a total of $72.8 million, with the African Development Bank (AfDB) contributing $57 million and the Congolese government providing $15.8 million.

Construction will include the installation of a 600-kilometre fibre optic cable network connecting Congo to neighboring Cameroon and the Central African Republic.

The data center, expected to be operational by December 2024, will feature dedicated server rooms, monitoring and supervision spaces, conference areas, and essential energy and air-conditioning equipment.

This initiative positions the Republic of Congo to become the first Central African nation with a sovereign data center.

“We will finally be able to host video conferences and store our data locally, eliminating reliance on servers in Europe or elsewhere,” stated Michael Ngakala, coordinator of the Central Africa Fibre-Optic Backbone Project.

Previously, Congolese data was often stored outside the country, leading to the use of domain name extensions like “.fr” or “.com” instead of the nation’s “.cg” designation.

The new data center will enable Congo to host all public data domestically, while also offering data storage and backup solutions for telecommunication companies, banks, insurance firms, and other private businesses.

This development is seen as a major step towards advancing Congo’s digital economy and bolstering its digital security through increased control over its data.

This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical experience in business management, operations, and investment.

“We are proud to launch the JOIN program to develop a new generation of operator-investors in Africa,” said Tebogo Masekwameng, a principal at Secha Capital.

The program leverages the expertise of Secha’s network of investors, entrepreneurs, and operators to provide participants with real-world skills needed to excel in the green and tech-driven African economy.

JOIN targets individuals seeking careers that combine hands-on business experience with investment knowledge.

Secha Capital is a black, female-founded growth equity firm focused on Southern African companies transitioning towards a sustainable, technology-enabled future.

Applications for the inaugural JOIN cohort, starting in June 2024, are now open.
http://bit.ly/SechaJOIN0624Cohort

A critical component of the plan involves the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) tasked with overseeing the deployment of an additional 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic cabling.

This substantial investment will significantly bolster Nigeria’s national internet backbone, paving the way for nationwide internet access.

The announcement builds on a collaboration between the Nigerian government and the World Bank, previously revealed in March by Tijani, to secure $3 billion in funding for network expansion. Specific details regarding additional project funding were not disclosed.

Upon completion, Nigeria’s total fiber optic coverage is expected to jump from its current 35,000 kilometers to a minimum of 125,000 kilometers.

This expansion will solidify Nigeria’s position as Africa’s third-largest holder of terrestrial fiber optic backbone infrastructure, following Egypt and South Africa.

The enhanced network capacity is anticipated to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s existing eight submarine cables.

With only 10% of their data capacity currently being utilized, this project is expected to significantly increase data utilization across the country.

Leveraging its existing partnership with the Broadband Alliance, improved internet connectivity will specifically target educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and social organizations, according to Tijani.

Over 200,000 such entities are expected to be connected, ensuring a wider segment of Nigerian society benefits from internet access.

Addressing the high cost of RoW is crucial to ensuring equitable access to essential broadband services for all Nigerians, particularly those in remote areas.