The African Development Bank has approved a €9.51 million loan to Comoros to construct a new data center, part of a larger €22.53 million project aimed at enhancing digital services and governance. An operator will manage the center, which will also develop essential digital platforms and a National Authority for Data Protection. This comes amidst an increase in Internet penetration in Comoros and growth in East Africa’s data center market.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has approved a loan of €9.51 million ($10.5 million) for the construction and operation of a new data center, alongside an existing secondary center and an incubator in Comoros. This funding supports a total project cost of €22.53 million ($24.9 million), with additional contributions from the African Development Fund and the Transition Support Facility.
The initiative is part of the Project to Support the Digitisation of the Comorian Economy, targeting enhancements in governance and public services. The AfDB plans to employ a private operator to manage the data centers, ensuring effective operation, marketing, maintenance, and scalability.
Included in the project are the establishment of a digital administration platform and the development of e-services. It will also create a public payment system and improve interoperability and data sharing. The AfDB highlights the importance of data management and protection, providing funds for a National Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Access to Information.
Upon completion, this project aims to offer a comprehensive array of digital services that would fulfill the needs of the Comorian population and facilitate their access to digital solutions. The push for digitisation is timely, as the Internet penetration rate in Comoros reached 27.3% as of January 2024, up from 25.5% in January 2023.
In the broader East African context, the data center market is projected to yield $1.09 billion in revenue by 2024, with Network Infrastructure leading the market. Other East African nations, such as Kenya, are also advancing in this area, with substantial investments in modern data centers and technology, demonstrating a regional trend towards improved digital infrastructure.
The African Development Bank’s investment in Comoros aims to foster digital innovation and enhance governance through improved public services. The project promises to create vital infrastructure for digitisation, which aligns with the increasing Internet penetration in the region. As East Africa invests in advanced data centers, this initiative positions Comoros to reap significant benefits in the digital economy.
Original Source: techpoint.africa
