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Building Dakar’s digital future with PAIX

Data centre hallway full of rack servers

The new facility will provide reliable digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, economic growth, and business competitiveness in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

PAIX Data Centres, a premier provider of digital infrastructure in Africa, is set to establish a cutting-edge data centre in Dakar, Senegal

This new development represents a significant step in the company’s strategy to expand its presence in West Africa, addressing the region’s increasing demand for advanced digital solutions.

Currently, PAIX Data Centres operates facilities in Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; and Djibouti.

Empowering regional connectivity and innovation

Dakar’s strategic position is bolstered by its access to four existing submarine cables—ACE, MainOne, SAT3, and SHARE—with additional cables like 2Africa under installation. This connectivity makes the upcoming data centre a pivotal hub for businesses seeking to penetrate West Africa’s emerging markets.

The new facility will provide reliable digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, economic growth, and business competitiveness in the region.

A state-of-the-art facility

PAIX Data Centres has secured land for the construction of this advanced facility, designed to deliver approximately 918 m² of usable space and a critical power capacity of up to 1.2 megawatts. Scheduled for operational readiness in 2026, the data centre is tailored to the needs of local and global businesses.

Key features include:

1.2 MW power capacity for reliable IT operations.
900 m² colocation space offering scalable hosting solutions.
330 equipment bays in a secure, temperature-controlled environment.

Sustainability at the core

PAIX Data Centres is committed to environmental stewardship, implementing strategies that maximize resource efficiency and minimize water usage in areas with limited supply. By 2030, the company aims to use 100% renewable energy for its data centres.

Economic growth and job creation

In collaboration with its investor Africa50, established by 32 African governments including Senegal, PAIX Data Centres is dedicated to fostering economic growth in West Africa.

The project will generate substantial employment, with nearly 200 jobs during construction and around 20 permanent roles for data centre operations. It will also create opportunities for local suppliers, architects, contractors, and maintenance firms.

A Digital Gateway for Africa

As a member of the European Union’s Global Gateway Business Advisory Group, PAIX Data Centres actively supports the development of secure, resilient digital infrastructure across Africa. This initiative aligns with the EU’s goals to boost economic development, attract investment, and safeguard digital sovereignty, democracy, and fundamental rights on the continent.

With its robust infrastructure and strategic partnerships, PAIX Data Centres is poised to transform Senegal into a key digital hub for West Africa, driving innovation and sustainable growth.

Orange, Vodacom introduce solar-powered tower initiative

Power lines tower against a colorful sunset

Vodacom and Orange collaborate to build solar-powered towers in DRC, expanding telecom services to 19 million underserved people. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Orange and Vodacom have announced a partnership to create Africa's first rural towerco collaboration

Together, they will build, own, and operate solar-powered mobile base stations in underserved regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aimed at extending network coverage and providing access to telecommunications and mobile financial services for up to 19 million people in rural areas. This initiative reflects their shared goal of bridging the digital divide and fostering inclusive growth across the continent.

Expanding networks, especially in remote rural areas, has been a major challenge in the DRC. To address this, the companies have committed to constructing up to 2,000 solar-powered base stations over six years, utilising 2G and 4G technologies. The partnership begins with a plan for 1,000 towers, with the option to expand by an additional 1,000. The project is subject to approval from regulatory, administrative, and competition authorities.

This partnership will not only improve coverage but will also provide local consumers with access to voice, data, and mobile money services. The first base station is expected to be operational by 2025, with both Orange and Vodacom sharing the active and passive infrastructure for an initial term of 20 years. Additionally, the venture will offer its passive infrastructure to any interested MNOs, further expanding its reach.

“We have the opportunity to make a significant impact on Africa's socio-economic development by building a digital society,”commented Shameel Joosub, CEO of Vodacom Group. “Our partnership with Orange is a crucial step towards providing mobile coverage in previously underserved areas in the DRC.”

Orange Middle East and Africa CEO, Jérôme Hénique, added, “Our deep market knowledge and collaboration with Vodacom will enable us to accelerate connectivity access, especially in rural areas, while reducing our environmental impact.”

With mobile internet penetration in the DRC at 32.3%, the announcement aligns with the country’s National Digital Plan Horizon 2025, which aims to enhance public services, economic growth, and digital access. This initiative is expected to promote e-citizenship, e-government, and e-commerce, fostering job creation and increasing GDP.

Orange RDC, a subsidiary of the Orange Group, has been a key player in the DRC's digital landscape for over 12 years. The company has been instrumental in expanding connectivity, offering fiber and launching new technologies. Through initiatives like the Orange Digital Center & Clubs, which offer free digital training, Orange RDC continues to support the economic and social development of the DRC.

Spirion opens data center in South Africa

Spirion expands global presence with new data center in South Africa, supporting compliance and data protection. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Spirion LLC, a global leader in data discovery, classification, and remediation, has announced the launch of its first data centre in South Africa

This marks the third international expansion in just five months, aimed at supporting customers transitioning to Spirion’s SaaS platform. Located in Cape Town, the new data centre will assist customers in adhering to national data sovereignty laws, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), while using Spirion’s solutions to discover, classify, and remediate every byte of unknown data for smooth compliance.

This new facility is designed to meet the rising demand from the local market, offering South African companies advanced tools to safeguard their most sensitive data. It adds to the recent openings of Spirion’s international data centres in Frankfurt, Germany (September 2024), and Sydney, Australia (October 2024).

“We’re thrilled to open our third global data centre in just a few months. Protecting what matters most—sensitive data—requires accurate data discovery and classification. Spirion now offers this critical capability for any sensitive data-related initiative, regardless of industry and geographic location. As we expand globally, Spirion remains focused on prioritising customer requirements while also providing support for the myriads of country-specific data regulations,” said Spirion CEO, Kevin Coppins.

As data usage continues to grow, Spirion is enhancing its performance to help enterprises manage their data more efficiently. The company recently unveiled significant upgrades to its Sensitive Data Platform (SDP), which now offers improved visibility and control over critical business data, thanks to an upgraded scanner node architecture capable of analysing data at a petabyte scale.

Powering up esports with new alliance

Huawei and Emirates Esports Federation unite to drive innovation, support local talent, and enhance mobile gaming in the region. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

HUAWEI AppGallery and the Emirates Esports Federation (EESF) have partnered, aiming to foster innovation and growth within the esports and mobile gaming sectors across the region

The partnership will combine Huawei’s technological prowess and global reach with EESF’s expertise in esports governance and advocacy. Together, they will focus on nurturing local talent, creating new opportunities for gamers and developers, and further positioning esports as both a cultural and economic powerhouse in the region.

William Hu, managing director of Huawei consumer business group, Middle East and Africa Eco Development and Operation, commented, “Collaborating with the Emirates Esports Federation represents a major step forward in realising our vision for the future of esports and mobile gaming. Together, we are creating a platform that not only drives innovation but also fosters an environment where gamers and developers can thrive. The UAE’s rapidly evolving gaming ecosystem makes it an ideal hub for shaping the future of esports.”

Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Sultan Bin Shakhboot Al Nahyan, president of the Emirates Esports Federation, added, “This partnership with HUAWEI AppGallery represents a significant milestone in our efforts to strengthen the esports and gaming ecosystem in the UAE and beyond. By combining our expertise and resources, we aim to create new opportunities for innovation, talent development, and global collaboration within this dynamic industry.”

The agreement focuses on the joint effort to bolster the esports and mobile gaming sectors, with HUAWEI AppGallery and EESF collaborating on cutting-edge tournaments and campaigns. The Emirates Esports Federation will provide government support and professional player assistance for AppGallery Gamers Cup (AGC) tournaments in the UAE. The partnership also emphasises the growth and promotion of mobile games available on Huawei’s AppGallery platform.

This robust partnership highlights Huawei and the Emirates Esports Federation’s shared dedication to driving esports as an engine of innovation and economic development in the UAE and beyond, setting the stage for a promising future in the global gaming industry.

Safaricom, Nyala Insurance launch mobile insurance payments

Car insurance, mobile or portrait of happy woman with thumbs up

This partnership highlights Safaricom M-PESA’s dedication to expanding digital financial inclusion in Ethiopia. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Safaricom M-PESA has entered into a strategic partnership with Nyala Insurance, integrating the insurer into the M-PESA ecosystem

This collaboration enables Nyala Insurance customers to use M-PESA for premium payments, policy renewals, and other transactions, offering a secure and efficient mobile payment solution.

Through this initiative, customers will benefit from faster, more accessible insurance payment options, driving the adoption of mobile financial services across Ethiopia. Nyala Insurance will leverage the M-PESA platform to accept real-time payments, broadening its reach, streamlining processes, and providing clients with greater flexibility.

Elsa Muzzolini, chief digital financial services officer at Safaricom M-PESA, remarked, “This partnership underscores our commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s digital economy by providing businesses like Nyala Insurance with the digital tools they need to connect with customers in a more efficient way and enables mobile payments to be more accessible, convenient and time saving.”

Echoing this sentiment, Ato Tegegn Masresha, chief customer officer at Nyala Insurance, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Safaricom M-PESA, a leader in digital financial services in Kenya with a promising foothold in Ethiopia. This collaboration allows us to deliver unparalleled convenience to our customers, enabling them to access our services seamlessly and securely through M-PESA. By leveraging this partnership, we are reinforcing our commitment to innovation and enhancing customer satisfaction by making insurance transactions simpler and more efficient.”

This partnership highlights Safaricom M-PESA’s dedication to expanding digital financial inclusion in Ethiopia. By collaborating with local businesses, it continues to support the country’s digital transformation, ensuring tailored solutions that empower Ethiopian consumers and businesses to thrive in the digital economy.

Qualcomm supports African tech

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Flutterwave gains enhanced PSP license in Ghana

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