DRC welcomes Tier-III carrier-neutral data centre

OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa, a joint venture between Open Access Data Centres (OADC) and TEXAD has gone online

The Tier-III certified, open-access, carrier-neutral data centre is the first of its kind in the DRC. The 2MW-capable facility is part of the venture’s efforts to establish a vibrant digital ecosystem supporting Internet exchanges, content providers, cloud operators, carriers, telcos and Internet service providers (ISPs) in offering a wide range of digital products and services to business and domestic customers.

Clients are already establishing and installing in the facility and all major fibre network providers are present to provide vibrant interconnect to tenants. The facility offers integrated core digital infrastructure solutions comprising tailored colocation services together with a wide range of reliable connectivity and peering options. Power to the data centre is fed from utility sourced from hydro generation ensuring environmentally sustainable power generation in tandem with low Power Utilisation Effectiveness (PUE). The facility underpins and is accelerating the country’s digitalisation and ICT capabilities, enabling clients to cost-effectively, flexibly and securely grow their operations within the DRC.

OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa, located within TEXAF’s SILIKIN VILLAGE digital hub, is operated by the WIOCC Group company OADC, Africa’s fastest-growing data centre company. Configured with 1,500 sq m of IT white space to accommodate more than 550 racks, it delivers colocation, interconnect and peering services to support the colocation needs of enterprise clients, content distribution networks, local and international cloud providers. This enables them to improve efficiency, expedite digitisation initiatives, and more effectively service business and customer needs.

“OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa is central to boosting many sectors of the DRC’s economy, creating rich and vibrant digital ecosystems, and providing content distribution networks and cloud content providers with access to a quality peering location in the country,” remarked Mohammed Bouhelal, managing director of OADC Texaf DRC.

“We already have over 12 leading national and international carriers connected, with the banking sector being the leading adopter of OADC Texaf Digital - Kinshasa solutions. The open-access, carrier-neutral facility is set to transform the country’s digital infrastructure by creating a comprehensive, vibrant interconnection and peering ecosystem involving multiple carriers, ISPs, content providers and Internet Exchanges.”

Christophe Evers, chairman of OADC Texaf’s board of directors, added, “Establishing a strategic partnership to build a data centre in the DRC is crucial for driving digital transformation and economic growth in the region. By leveraging the joint strengths and expertise of OADC and TEXAF, we are not only enhancing digital connectivity and infrastructure but also creating opportunities for businesses to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

“This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering world-class data centre services that meet the growing demands of enterprises and support the broader objectives of economic development in the DRC. It is a cornerstone of the DRC’s National Digital Plan announced by the President of the Republic.”