Comoros Secures $10.5 Million from AfDB for Data Centre Development

The African Development Bank has approved a $10.5 million loan for Comoros to construct a new data centre and an incubator to promote digital innovation. The total project cost is $24.9 million, with additional funding from AfDB’s concessional agency and Transition Support Facility. This initiative aims to enhance governance and public services, with an expected complete alignment of digital services with the needs of the populace.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has sanctioned a €9.51 million ($10.5 million) loan to Comoros to develop a new data centre, an operational secondary data centre, and an incubator. This investment aims to bolster digital innovation and entrepreneurship in the East African nation, contributing to a total project budget of €22.53 million ($24.9 million). The initiative is part of a broader strategy to digitize the Comorian economy, enhancing governance and public services.

Of the total funding, the African Development Fund has allocated €4.02 million ($4.4 million) while an additional €5.49 million ($6 million) has been sourced from the Transition Support Facility. A private operator will be appointed to manage the data centres, ensuring effective marketing, maintenance, and growth.

The project envisions the establishment of a digital administration platform, the development of e-services, and a public digital payment system, as well as a platform for interoperability and data sharing. The AfDB highlighted the importance of digitisation, data management, and protections, stating the project will also fund the creation of a National Authority for Personal Data Protection and Access to Information.

Upon completion, the project is expected to deliver an extensive range of digital services tailored to meet the needs of the Comorian populace, facilitating greater access to digital resources. As of January 2024, internet penetration in Comoros was recorded at 27.3%, reflecting a 1.8% increase from January 2023.

The data centre market in East Africa is projected to generate revenues of $1.09 billion by 2024, with Network Infrastructure leading at $0.48 billion. In Kenya, the launch of a hyper-scale data centre by IXAfrica Data Centres and Schneider Electric further exemplifies the region’s advancements in data management technology. Kenya has also secured substantial investments from Microsoft and G42, aimed at building an eco-friendly data centre campus. Additionally, Ethiopia’s Ethio Telecom is in discussions with a Chinese enterprise to develop a hyper-scale data centre.

In conclusion, the African Development Bank’s investment in Comoros signifies a pivotal step towards enhancing digital innovation and infrastructure in the region. This initiative is anticipated to improve governance and public services while providing the necessary foundation for a modern digital economy. As internet penetration continues to rise, the expectant outcomes from this project hold promise not only for Comoros but for the broader East African digital landscape as well.

Original Source: techpoint.africa