CONGO – The African Development Bank (AfDB) has provided US$57 million to construct a state-of-the-art three-story data center in the Republic of Congo’s capital, Brazzaville.
The total investment for this project is US$72.8 million. The Congolese government allocated US$15.8 million of its funds. A dedicated portion of the budget, amounting to US$14.6 million, has been earmarked specifically for the construction and operational setup of the data center.
This facility is intended to serve as the national data center, with the capacity to securely store and process the nation’s digital information, which is crucial for advancing the Central African country’s digital infrastructure.
The project’s scope includes installing a substantial 600-kilometre-long fibre optic network, which will significantly enhance connectivity.
This network will extend along key routes, traversing the Congo River, connecting the Republic of the Congo with neighboring countries Cameroon, covering a distance of 341 kilometres, and the Central African Republic, spanning 281 kilometers.
This facility is not just a hub for data storage; it will also feature specialized server rooms designed to handle the nation’s digital assets.
To ensure the centre operates at peak efficiency, dedicated monitoring and supervision rooms and conference rooms for administrative and collaborative purposes will be provided.
The building will accommodate the necessary energy and air-conditioning systems to maintain an optimal environment for the high-tech equipment.
The completion and operational launch of this modern data center are anticipated by December 2024, marking a significant milestone in the Republic of the Congo’s journey toward digital transformation.
Michael Ngakala, the coordinator of the Central Africa Fibre-Optic Backbone Project, has highlighted a significant development for the Republic of the Congo: It is on the verge of becoming the sole nation in Central Africa to host its own data center.
Ngakala emphasized this development’s transformative impact on the country’s digital communications.
He explained that establishing the national data center would ensure that videoconferences and other digital interactions currently relying on servers in Europe, America, or other regions are handled domestically.
This change will ensure that digital exchanges occur within the country, enhancing efficiency and reducing latency.
As the Republic of the Congo progresses with the establishment of its new data center, a pivotal shift is anticipated in the country’s handling of its digital information.
The national data center is poised to become the primary repository for all public data, providing a centralized and secure location for storing and processing governmental digital assets.
The data center will serve public sector needs and offer services to various private entities. Telecom operators, banks, insurance companies, and other private firms can host and back up their primary storage sites at the national center.
This capability will provide these businesses with a reliable and local data management option and potentially reduce their reliance on international data hosting services.
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