The African Development Bank has approved a loan of $10.5 million to Comoros for building a new data centre and incubator to bolster digital innovation. The total project cost is $24.9 million, with additional funding from AfDB’s subsidiary agencies. This initiative aims to enhance governance, public services, and data protection as internet penetration grows in the region.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a loan totaling €9.51 million ($10.5 million) to support the construction and operation of a new data centre in Comoros. This initiative will also cover an existing secondary data centre and an incubator aimed at fostering digital innovation and entrepreneurship within the nation. The overall project cost amounts to €22.53 million ($24.9 million), with contributions from the African Development Fund and the Transition Support Facility.
The project is part of a broader effort to digitize the Comorian economy, enhancing crucial areas like governance and public services. To ensure effective management, a private operator will be engaged to handle the operation, marketing, maintenance, and expansion of the data centres, with an emphasis on creating a digital administration and developing electronic services.
Key components of the initiative include the establishment of a digital administration platform, a public payment system, and a framework for interoperability and data sharing. Additionally, funding is allocated to set up a National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Access to Information, ensuring data management and protection are prioritized.
Upon completion, the project is expected to deliver a robust range of digital services tailored to meet the needs of the Comorian population, facilitating access to increased digitisation. As of January 2024, internet penetration in Comoros has increased to 27.3%. In comparison, the East African data centre market is projected to generate $1.09 billion in revenue by 2024, led by Network Infrastructure.
Further developments in the region include the launch of a hyper-scale data centre in Kenya by IXAfrica Data Centres and Schneider Electric, marking a significant advancement in technology. Kenya has also secured up to $1 billion from Microsoft and G42 for a cutting-edge data centre campus. Meanwhile, Ethiopia is exploring opportunities with a Chinese enterprise to build its own hyper-scale data centre.
The African Development Bank’s investment in Comoros represents a significant step in enhancing digital infrastructure and services in the region. By focusing on the development of data centres and a digital administration platform, the project aims to improve governance and public service delivery while promoting innovation. Additionally, the regional context reveals a growing trend towards advanced data centre development throughout East Africa, highlighting the importance of digital progress in the region.
Original Source: techpoint.africa
