This central facility is set to create a dynamic digital ecosystem that will support the development of smarter, faster, and more inclusive e-government services.
Côte d’Ivoire has taken a major step toward digital sovereignty with the inauguration of a new national data center, a strategic project aimed at enhancing the country’s digital infrastructure, improving public service delivery, and ensuring better control over its data. Located in Grand-Bassam, the data center marks a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey and is part of a broader initiative under the e-Government project, backed by the Export-Import Bank of China.
The facility is designed to host all state and public administration data, centralizing national digital operations and significantly reducing reliance on foreign servers. By managing data locally, Côte d’Ivoire not only increases cybersecurity but also promotes the development of a sovereign digital economy. The center will support e-government services, provide secure cloud infrastructure, and improve the efficiency and transparency of government operations.
President Alassane Ouattara emphasized the importance of the center for national security, economic growth, and digital independence. The project aligns with the government’s 2021–2025 National Development Plan, which prioritizes digital inclusion and transformation. The data center is expected to benefit both the public and private sectors, fostering innovation, enabling startups and local tech companies to flourish, and driving digital entrepreneurship.
The facility has modern capabilities such as high-performance computing, energy efficiency, and robust security systems. It offers services like data hosting, cloud computing, and disaster recovery, and it’s structured to evolve with growing national digital needs. Its launch also paves the way for Côte d’Ivoire to become a regional digital hub in West Africa, attracting international investment and reinforcing regional digital cooperation.
Moreover, the data center supports broader continental ambitions, contributing to the African Union’s digital strategy and Agenda 2063. It helps bridge the digital divide and ensures African data remains on the continent, under African governance.
Côte d’Ivoire’s new data center represents a leap forward in its ambition to achieve digital sovereignty. By securing and localizing data management, the country strengthens its digital infrastructure, boosts economic potential, and positions itself as a leader in West Africa’s digital future.
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