Togo this week inaugurated its first carrier-neutral data center in the capital city of Lomé.

Built on a plot measuring more than one hectare, the Lomé Data Center has 400 sqm (4,300 sq ft) of floorspace for the private sector and 100 sqm (1,076 sq ft) for the government. The facility was officially opened by the President of the Togolese Republic, Faure Gnassingbé.

“As Togo modernizes and goes digital, platforms are being created. These must be hosted in a secure and reliable data center. Lomé Data Center constitutes a major infrastructure and is of strategic importance, not only with regard to the growth dynamic of our country, but also as a powerful lever in achieving the objectives of the 2020-2025 roadmap,” said Minister of the Digital Economy and Digital Transformation, Cina Lawson.

Under construction since 2019, the $23.7 million data center was funded by a loan through the World Bank’s West Africa Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (WARCIP).

The new facility is owned by Société d’Infrastructures Numériques (SIN), a heritage company managing the digital assets of the Togolese state, but will be managed and operated by Africa Data Centres (ADC), a subsidiary of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

The facility is reportedly under assessment by the Uptime Institute for Tier-III certification.

“The Covid-19 crisis has shown that there is a heavy reliance on digital technology and a need for Togo to strengthen its digital infrastructure and enhance the resilience of its economy and services,” said Hawa Cissé Wagué, World Bank Resident Representative for Togo. “The development of the infrastructure provided for under this project will result in lower international connectivity costs, as well as support for Togo’s digital transformation agenda.”