The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has inaugurated its first Tier-III certified, open-access, carrier-neutral data centre through a joint venture between Open Access Data Centres (OADC) and TEXAF, named ‘OADC Texaf Digital’. This landmark project marks a significant advancement in the country’s digital infrastructure, providing a robust foundation for the burgeoning digital economy in the DRC.
OADC Texaf Digital is designed to support a diverse digital ecosystem, including Internet Exchanges, content providers, cloud operators, carriers, telcos, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This facility is set to enhance the availability of digital products and services for both business and domestic customers in the DRC. The data centre, with a capacity of 2MW, offers colocation services and various connectivity and peering options essential for enterprise clients and content distribution networks.
Located within TEXAF’s SILIKIN VILLAGE digital hub in Kinshasa, the facility features 1,500 square meters of IT white space and can accommodate more than 550 racks. It is powered by hydro-generated electricity, ensuring environmentally sustainable power with a low Power Utilisation Effectiveness (PUE). The facility is on track for ISO27001 certification by Q3 2024, reflecting its commitment to high standards of security and reliability.
OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa is already attracting major fibre network providers and has seen significant adoption from the banking sector. The centre’s carrier-neutral stance maximizes interconnection opportunities, fostering competition and improving cost-efficiency for internet connectivity. This, in turn, is expected to lower costs for Congolese individuals and businesses and spur further growth in the country’s digital ecosystem.
Mohammed Bouhelal, Managing Director of OADC Texaf DRC, emphasized the transformative impact of the new facility on the DRC’s economy. With over 12 national and international carriers connected, the data centre is poised to become a crucial hub for content distribution and cloud services, significantly enhancing digital connectivity in the region.
This development highlights the commitment to accelerating digitalisation and ICT capabilities in the DRC, positioning the country as a growing player in the global digital landscape. #DataCentre #DigitalTransformation #ICT #DRC #CarrierNeutral #SustainableTech #Interconnection #CloudServices
