Ethio Telecom is looking to develop a hyperscale data center in Ethiopia.
The telco this week said it was in strategic talks with Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co. Ltd. about building a hyperscale data center.
“Our CEO, Frehiwot Tamru, has engaged in discussions with Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co. Ltd GM, Mr. Cal Kun regarding the construction of a hyperscale data center,” the company said. “Shandong has expressed its willingness to collaborate with Ethio telecom in both the construction and financing of the data center, forming a strategic partnership aimed at advancing Ethiopia’s digital infrastructure.”
Further details around location, timelines, or specifications weren’t shared.
State-owned Shandong Hi-Speed Group has previously invested in Chinese data center firm Vnet (formerly 21Vianet).
Founded in 1997 and owned by the Shandong Provincial People's Government, the group is mainly engaged in the investment, construction, and operation of highways, expressways, bridges, railways, rail transits, harbors, shipping, and logistics.
State-owned Ethio Telecom currently has more than 70 million subscribers. It was the only operator in the country until Kenya-based Safaricom recently launched in the market.
The scope of Ethio’s data center footprint isn’t clear. The company launched a new Huawei-built modular data center in Addis Ababa in 2021.
The facility – able to host up to 800 servers – was to replace an existing facility. The site serves the telco’s own needs as well as commercial customers.
Raxio, Wingu.Africa, Red Fox, and Safaricom have launched data centers in Ethiopia in recent years.
