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Raxio Group launches Tier III data center in Abidjan, fueling Côte d'Ivoire's digital transformation and connectivity. (Image source: Raxio Group)

Raxio Group has officially opened its state-of-the-art data centre in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, named Raxio Côte d'Ivoire (CIV1)

This marks the company’s fifth data centre in its portfolio and the third launched this year, all of which have received Tier III accreditation from the Uptime Institute. With this facility, Raxio is positioning itself as a key player in the country’s digital expansion.

Powering digital growth 

CIV1 is Ivory Coast’s first Tier III certified, carrier-neutral, and cloud-neutral data centre. Located in the fastest-growing economy of francophone West Africa, it aims to meet the growing demand for data and local content. The center, equipped with top-tier technology, can house up to 800 racks and deliver 3MW of IT power to customer equipment.

This launch represents Raxio’s entry into West Africa, with CIV1 strategically located to serve the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which includes countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. The region's regulations support the banking industry and financial institutions in securely storing and transferring data within the territory.

Robert Mullins, CEO of Raxio Group, emphasised, “The inauguration of our Abidjan data centre establishes us firmly in West Africa, a key growth sector for our continued expansion. Abidjan is the ideal location for organisations and businesses from across the economic region to colocate their mission-critical infrastructure in a highly reliable and secure facility. We are proud to contribute a fundamental cornerstone to facilitate Côte d’Ivoire’s continued digital growth and cement its hub status in the region.”

Located about 30 km from central Abidjan in the Village of Innovation and Technology (VITIB), CIV1 benefits from diverse power and fiber paths, alongside redundant technology that ensures its Tier III standards. The facility operates 24/7 and is strategically positioned on major fiber routes, providing premium colocation services and excellent domestic and international connectivity. Six fiber providers currently support the centre, which will also host the country’s Internet Exchange Point (CIVIX), fostering affordable interconnection of both local and global traffic in a neutral setting.

From its location, Raxio CIV1 is set to serve a wide range of sectors within Abidjan and the broader WAEMU region. This comes at a time of rapid digital transformation, data consumption, and increasing connectivity demands.

Siemon expands optical patching solutions for NVIDIA AI infrastructure, enhancing GPU cluster performance with structured cabling expertise. (Image source: Siemon)

Siemon, a global leader in network infrastructure solutions, has announced the availability of its comprehensive range of optical patching solutions designed specifically for NVIDIA AI infrastructure within generative AI networks

Large and intricate GPU clusters can greatly benefit from utilising structured cabling patch panels instead of traditional point-to-point cabling. Siemon positions itself as a trusted advisor, offering expert guidance and best practice recommendations for the design and deployment of NVIDIA AI infrastructure.

In a significant move, Siemon has joined the NVIDIA Partner Network (NPN) as a Solution Advisor Consultant. NPN Solution Advisor Consultants deliver consultation services and expert insights to customers seeking to implement NVIDIA-based technologies. Siemon's involvement in the network enables it to leverage its expertise in tackling the unique infrastructure and cabling challenges posed by accelerated computing.

NVIDIA's optical reach specifications are designed with the assumption that two optical patch panels are employed in each link, utilising a total of four optical connectors. Siemon's optical patching solutions align with NVIDIA's requirements, offering customers enhanced flexibility and ease of management.

“Siemon is very familiar with NVIDIA reference architectures and has worked with many customers to design and deploy NVIDIA clusters. Siemon's unique solutions meet low latency requirements, simplify deployment, and provide post-day 1 installation flexibility. Siemon offers a full range of AI-ready fibre cabling, DAC, and AOC solutions that support 400G, 800G, and 1.6T applications,” said Gary Bernstein, senior director of Global Data Center Sales at Siemon.

The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with a 2MW capacity, sets a new standard as a cornerstone of the DRC’s growing digital ecosystem. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

ST Digital, a leading provider of cloud services in Africa, has announced its expansion into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through a partnership with the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre

This collaboration places ST Digital at the forefront of the region's digital transformation, utilising the advanced infrastructure of the DRC’s first operational open-access, carrier-neutral, and Uptime Institute Tier-III certified data centre.

The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with a 2MW capacity, sets a new standard as a cornerstone of the DRC’s growing digital ecosystem. It is also on course to obtain ISO27001 post-live certification, reinforcing its dedication to the highest levels of security and operational excellence. Currently housing a number of top national and international carriers, the facility offers a dynamic, carrier-neutral, open-access interconnect ecosystem. This makes it an attractive environment for content providers like ST Digital to deliver high-quality services to the DRC’s expanding population.

In rapidly developing markets such as the DRC, content providers are pivotal to the digital landscape. With the country's growing population driving digital transformation, colocating in the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre will allow ST Digital to address the rising demand for content as connectivity improves, giving more people reliable Internet access. “Our facility offers the ideal environment for this growth, providing secure, carrier-neutral, open-access, reliable and scalable infrastructure that supports the delivery of diverse digital content across the region,” noted Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf.

With a population exceeding 100 million and over 16 million people in the bustling city of Kinshasa, the DRC is witnessing substantial growth in content consumption, fueled by increased connectivity and ongoing digitalisation efforts. As both the government and private sector continue to invest in digital infrastructure, the demand for localized, high-quality content is expected to rise rapidly. ST Digital’s entry into the DRC market, via the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa data centre, strategically positions the company to meet this growing demand and deliver faster, more reliable content to millions of users.

“The DRC’s digital transformation is creating immense opportunities for content providers, and our expansion into this market is a key part of our growth strategy. By partnering with OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, we can ensure that our content reaches audiences with the speed, security and quality they expect. This move will not only benefit our business but also contribute to the overall digitalisation of the DRC, enhancing access to information and entertainment for a wider population,” said Jean-Francis AHANDA, general manager Data Centre Services, ST Digital.

MTN South Africa and ZTE deploy Africa's first 5G ultra-range maritime coverage in Mossel Bay, boosting connectivity, tourism, and local fishing. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

MTN South Africa and ZTE Corporation , a global leader in integrated ICT solutions, have introduced Africa’s first 5G ultra-range maritime coverage at Mossel Bay, Western Cape, South Africa

The ultra-range 5G network in Mossel Bay will provide high-speed, dependable internet access to previously unreachable maritime areas, offering unparalleled connectivity across the region's waters.

This achievement marks a milestone in maritime communications, delivering speeds of over 210Mbps at 22 kilometers from shore. The upgraded connectivity will benefit fisheries, shipping, tourism, sea rescue, and marine research by improving operational efficiency and data transmission. It will also promote marine ecological protection through advanced 5G applications such as live streaming and video technologies.

Charles Molapisi, CEO of MTN South Africa, expressed, "By launching Africa's first 5G maritime network in South Africa, MTN is setting a new benchmark in connectivity. This innovation not only strengthens our position as a leader in digital transformation but also opens up new horizons for economic growth and technological advancement across the continent."

MTN South Africa’s CTO, Rami Farah, added, "We are incredibly proud to be pioneering this transformative technology in South Africa. By integrating 5G Ultra Maritime Coverage, we are not only expanding our network's reach but also opening new avenues for economic growth and enhancing the travel experience for tourists. This initiative is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation and supporting local communities."

Luca Shen, CEO of ZTE South Africa, highlighted, "Our collaboration with MTN represents a significant step forward in maritime technology. ZTE is dedicated to delivering cutting-edge solutions that address the unique needs of different regions. With our 5G Ultra Maritime Coverage, we are setting a new standard for connectivity and enabling Africa to harness the full potential of its maritime resources."

The rollout of 5G Ultra Maritime Coverage aligns with MTN and ZTE’s broader strategy to leverage technology for socio-economic development. This initiative supports the African Union and South Africa’s vision for a digitally connected continent and country, contributing to key sustainable development goals such as economic growth and innovation.

With this 5G Ultra Maritime Coverage, advanced applications like real-time vessel tracking, enhanced navigation, and remote monitoring will improve safety and efficiency in maritime operations. Local fishermen will gain access to better tools for planning, communication, and market information, enabling them to increase their economic security by accessing global markets and optimising their operations.

"Our 5G network covers 44% of the South African population, up from last year’s 25%, marking a 19% increase. As we move forward, we will continue to expand our 5G presence, having already deployed 900 new 5G sites in 2024," concluded Molapisi.