Comoros has been approved for a €9.51 million ($10.5 million) loan by the African Development Bank to establish a new data centre and enhance digital administration as part of a broader initiative to digitize the economy and improve public services. The total project cost is €22.53 million ($24.9 million) with additional funding from two AfDB agencies. The completion aims to provide a range of digital services and bolster internet accessibility.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has granted a €9.51 million ($10.5 million) loan to Comoros for the construction and operation of a new data centre and an existing secondary data centre, along with an incubator aimed at enhancing digital innovation and entrepreneurship. The total project budget is €22.53 million ($24.9 million), with contributions from the African Development Fund and the Transition Support Facility amounting to €4.02 million ($4.4 million) and €5.49 million ($6 million), respectively.
This initiative is part of the Project to Support the Digitisation of the Comorian Economy, which aims to enhance governance and improve user-facing public services. A private operator will be appointed to manage operations, marketing, maintenance, and expansion of the data centres.
The project encompasses the establishment of a digital administration platform, the development of e-services, the implementation of a digital public payment system, and an interoperability and data-sharing platform. Additionally, it includes funding to set up a National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Access to Information, focusing on data management and protection.
Completion of this venture is anticipated to yield a comprehensive suite of digital services to meet the needs of the Comorian populace, facilitating their access to digital resources. The Internet penetration rate in Comoros was recorded at 27.3% as of January 2024, reflecting a 1.8% increase since January 2023.
In the broader East African context, the data centre market is projected to generate $1.09 billion in revenue by 2024, with Network Infrastructure projected to be a significant contributor. In Kenya, recent developments include the unveiling of a hyper-scale data centre by IXAfrica Data Centres and Schneider Electric, which is noted as the most advanced in East Africa. Additionally, Kenya has secured substantial investment from Microsoft and G42 for a state-of-the-art data centre campus. Similarly, Ethiopia’s Ethio Telecom is engaged in strategic conversations with a Chinese company for another hyper-scale data centre construction.
The financial support from the AfDB signifies a pivotal step towards enhancing Comoros’ digital infrastructure. The investment will foster innovation, improve public services, and address data protection needs. Given the rising internet penetration rate and expanding regional data centre market, this project is poised to significantly benefit the Comorian economy and its citizens’ access to digital technology.
Original Source: techpoint.africa
