The USA’s International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has designated a $300 million investment to facilitate the establishment of data centers in Africa, including Ghana.
The Africa Data Centres (ADC) project aligns with the US government’s efforts to support Ghana’s digital transformation and government’s digitalization agenda.
During the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving ADC, Cassava Technologies, and DFC in Accra on October 12, the CEO of DFC, Scott Nathan, emphasized that the establishment of a data center in Ghana will serve as a crucial hub for secure, reliable, and trusted ICT networks and infrastructure.
He revealed that Ghana, South Africa, and Kenya will be the main locations for the data centers.
“Data centres can help attract data-driven companies looking for a foothold or to expand their operations in growing African economies. Markets with trusted technology and dependable data storage are magnets for businesses that create jobs and opportunity,” Nathan said.
“When the data centre becomes operational, it will help enable development and economic growth here in Accra, for communities, across the country and in the wider region of Africa,” he added.
Additionally, Scott Nathan underlined the significance of open, safe, and secure information technology networks as the cornerstone for the growth of any thriving economy.
“They are a vital part of the infrastructure that allows a dynamic private sector to grow and thrive,” the DFC CEO concluded.
According to Finhai Munzara, chief financial officer of Africa Data Centres, the project will leverage up to 15%, or US$50 million, for the data center in Ghana to further support the government’s objective to fully utilize the potential of the nation’s technological industry.
“We have secured a site in Ghana within the Trade Fair which is also around the landing stations. We know from internet statistics that Ghana is becoming a hub for internet connectivity and we are seeing today that Ghana is using 20 percent of the West Africa regions internet and we believe that will continue to grow further upwards”.
Following the recent visit to Ghana by US Vice President Kamala Harris, US Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to assisting Ghana in its attempts to undergo a digital revolution.
“Ghana is harnessing the potential of the digital economy and we applaud its vision and commitment to building a strong digital ecosystem,” Ambassador Palmer noted.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) also emphasizes their shared commitment to enhancing the ICT infrastructure in Africa.
Additionally, it enables ADC to leverage a portion of its current $300 million DFC finance commitment to build Ghana’s first data center of its sort.