OADC Texaf boosts DRC's digital ecosystem

The first phase of OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa, a collaboration between Open Access Data Centres (OADC) and TEXAF, has officially launched

This facility is poised to create a dynamic digital ecosystem in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), supporting Internet Exchanges, content providers, cloud operators, carriers, telecommunications companies, and ISPs. It aims to offer a broad spectrum of digital products and services to both businesses and households.

This 2MW-capable facility is the DRC's first live, open-access, carrier-neutral data centre, certified by the Uptime Institute as Tier-III. ISO27001 post-live certification is expected by Q3 2024. Clients are already moving into the facility, and all major fibre network providers are present, ensuring robust interconnectivity for tenants. The data centre provides essential digital infrastructure, offering customised colocation services along with diverse connectivity and peering options. Powered by hydroelectricity, the facility emphasizes sustainable energy use and boasts a low Power Utilisation Effectiveness (PUE). It is accelerating the DRC's digital transformation by enabling clients to expand their operations efficiently, flexibly, and securely.

Digital connectivity hub

Kinshasa, with a population exceeding 16 million, is the hub of demand for digital connectivity services in the DRC and the surrounding region. The OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa facility, situated within TEXAF's SILIKIN VILLAGE digital hub, is operated by OADC, Africa's fastest-growing data centre company and part of the award-winning WIOCC Group. The facility features 1,500 sq m of IT white space, capable of accommodating over 550 racks, and offers colocation, interconnect, and peering services to meet the needs of enterprises, content distribution networks, and cloud providers. This setup enables clients to enhance efficiency, accelerate digital initiatives, and better serve their customers and businesses.

The infrastructure's design, including its white space architecture and interconnect and peering ecosystem, is perfectly suited for large international content distribution networks, global content companies, and cloud providers looking to invest in the DRC.

Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf DRC, emphasised, “OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa is central to boosting many sectors of the DRC’s economy, creating rich and vibrant digital ecosystems, and providing content distribution networks and cloud content providers with access to a quality peering location in the country.”

He also noted, “We already have over 12 leading national and international carriers connected, with the banking sector being the leading adopter of OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa solutions. The open-access, carrier-neutral facility is set to transform the country’s digital infrastructure by creating a comprehensive, vibrant interconnection and peering ecosystem involving multiple carriers, ISPs, content providers and Internet Exchanges.”

The facility embodies carrier-neutrality, maximising interconnection opportunities for all clients. Increased competition and improved operator cost efficiencies are anticipated to lower internet connectivity costs for both individuals and businesses in the DRC, thus supporting the expansion of the country's digital ecosystem. This facility offers businesses an attractive alternative to self-built and self-managed data centre facilities, providing the benefits of dedicated resources, expertise, management, and cost-efficiency. Carriers will also gain, as OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa provides new revenue opportunities through connectivity and allows them to extend their service offerings to include managed colocation services.

OADC and TEXAF's partnership in establishing this crucial infrastructure is a key component of the DRC's digital transformation. This initiative aligns with TEXAF's strategy to attract leading international players like OADC into the country, particularly within the new SILIKIN VILLAGE digital hub.

Christophe Evers, chairman of OADC Texaf’s board of directors, stated, “Establishing a strategic partnership to build a data centre in the DRC is crucial for driving digital transformation and economic growth in the region. By leveraging the joint strengths and expertise of OADC and TEXAF, we are not only enhancing digital connectivity and infrastructure but also creating opportunities for businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering world-class data centre services that meet the growing demands of enterprises and support the broader objectives of economic development in the DRC. It is a cornerstone of the DRC’s National Digital Plan announced by the President of the Republic.”