NAIROBI, Kenya- The digital transformation of Africa just received a major boost.
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has completed the first phase of its ambitious Africa Cloud Ecosystem (ACE) project, an initiative aimed at establishing standardized data centers across the continent.
Funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the NEPAD-IPPF Special Fund, the project promises to create affordable, reliable, and secure cloud infrastructure to support critical sectors like healthcare, education, government, and agriculture.
“This is our chance to bridge the digital divide and position Africa for success in the 4th Industrial Revolution,” said Dr. Mohamed Kadah, COMESA Assistant Secretary General for Programs.
The initial phase of the ACE project involved a pre-investment study across 11 COMESA member states, including Kenya, Egypt, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
This study, conducted by the African consulting firm CERFODES, assessed the market potential, infrastructure gaps, and feasibility of establishing a standardized network of data centers.
Field visits to national data centers and consultations with stakeholders painted a clear picture of the challenges:
- High costs of cloud hosting services.
- Latency issues caused by relying on data centers outside the continent.
- Insufficient ICT infrastructure.
- Inconsistent power supply for local data centers.
AfDB Task Manager Omar Elmi Samatar stressed the importance of localizing data. “Without localizing data, we cannot talk about data sovereignty,” he noted.
Phase two of the ACE project is set to move from analysis to action. COMESA plans to implement the recommendations from the study, including setting up operational frameworks, recruiting skilled personnel, and drafting legal guidelines to support the initiative.
The ultimate goal? A seamless, interconnected cloud network that supports Africa’s growing digital economy. This effort will not only enhance access to cloud services but also foster data sovereignty and reduce reliance on external providers.
By prioritizing local infrastructure, COMESA and its partners are positioning Africa to leap forward in the global tech landscape. The ACE project is a bold step toward addressing long-standing barriers to digital growth while ensuring that Africa’s data remains on African soil.
As the project transitions into its implementation phase, the continent edges closer to a future where cloud services are accessible, affordable, and tailored to its unique needs.
