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In a significant leap forward for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) digital infrastructure, Open Access Data Centres (OADC) has officially launched a new, cutting-edge data center in Kinshasa, the nation’s bustling capital. This facility marks a major milestone in the country’s technological evolution, promising to enhance digital connectivity and support the growing demand for data services in the region.

Initially announced in early 2023, this 2MW, 1,500 sqm (16,145 sq ft) data center was developed in partnership with TEXAF and is situated within the Silkin Village hub, owned by TEXAF. The facility, which can house 550 racks, was originally slated to go live last year.

Mohammed Bouhelal, the managing director of OADC Texaf DRC, stated that “OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa is key to enhancing various sectors of the DRC’s economy, fostering a dynamic digital ecosystem, and providing content distribution networks and cloud content providers with a reliable peering location in the country.”

He further added, “We already have over 12 major national and international carriers connected, with the banking sector being the primary adopter of OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa’s solutions. This open-access, carrier-neutral facility is poised to revolutionize the country’s digital infrastructure by establishing a robust interconnection and peering ecosystem involving multiple carriers, ISPs, content providers, and Internet Exchanges.”

OADC noted that this facility is the DRC’s first operational open-access, carrier-neutral, and Uptime Institute Tier III certified data center, with ISO27001 certification expected in Q3 2024. It’s worth noting that Raxio also operates a Tier III-certified data center in Kinshasa.

The Kinshasa site is powered by electricity sourced from hydroelectric generation.The launch of the Kinshasa data center is part of OADC’s broader vision to build a pan-African network of data centers. In 2021, WIOCC announced a $200 million investment to establish a network of core data centers across the continent, with facilities already live in Nigeria and South Africa. The company has ambitious plans to expand into up to 20 countries across Africa, including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, and Somalia.

Kinshasa, with a population exceeding 16 million, is a key hub for digital connectivity services in the DRC and the surrounding region. The OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa data center, situated within TEXAF’s SILIKIN VILLAGE digital hub, is managed by OADC, a company under the WIOCC Group, which is recognized as Africa’s fastest-growing data center provider. 

The facility offers 1,500 square meters of IT white space, accommodating over 550 racks. It provides colocation, interconnect, and peering services, catering to the needs of enterprise clients, content distribution networks, and both local and international cloud providers. These services help businesses enhance efficiency, accelerate digitization efforts, and better meet the needs of their customers.

WIOCC, formed in 2008, is an African wholesale network company that is involved in several major submarine cable systems, including the Eastern Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy), Europe India Gateway (EIG), West Africa Cable System (WACS), Telecom Egypt North (TE North), South East Asia–Middle East–Western Europe 5 (SEA-ME-WE 5), and the Facebook-led 2Africa cable systems.

The opening of OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa represents a significant step forward in the DRC’s journey towards becoming a digitally empowered nation. As the demand for digital services continues to grow, this new facility will play a crucial role in meeting the needs of businesses, enhancing connectivity, and driving economic growth in the region. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and strategic partnerships, OADC is well-positioned to lead the charge in Africa’s digital transformation.