PAIX Data Centres to Build Cutting-Edge Facility in Dakar, Senegal, to Strengthen West Africa’s Digital Infrastructure

Dakar, Senegal — January 27, 2025
PAIX Data Centres, a leading provider of digital infrastructure across Africa, has announced the construction of a state-of-the-art data centre in Dakar, Senegal. This facility marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to expand its footprint in West Africa, addressing the surging demand for high-quality digital services in the region.

The Dakar facility will join PAIX’s existing data centres in Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; and Djibouti, further solidifying the company’s presence on the continent. With Senegal rapidly emerging as a key connectivity hub, this data centre is poised to play a critical role in fostering innovation, supporting economic growth, and strengthening the region’s technological backbone.

Strategic Location and Advanced Features

Dakar’s growing prominence as a connectivity hub is underscored by its access to four submarine cables—ACE, MainOne, SAT3, and SHARE—with additional cables, including 2Africa, soon to enhance the city’s digital infrastructure. The new PAIX data centre will serve as a vital access point for businesses targeting West Africa’s expanding markets.

The facility is designed to offer approximately 918 square meters of colocation space and a critical power capacity of 1.2 megawatts. With 330 bays available for IT equipment, the data centre will provide businesses with flexible, secure, and reliable infrastructure to meet their digital transformation needs.

The first phase of the project is scheduled to be operational in 2026, offering cutting-edge features, including:

1.2 MW of IT load: Ensuring stable and sufficient power for critical operations.
Modern and scalable infrastructure: Flexible hosting options to support diverse business needs.
Environmentally conscious design: Optimized to operate efficiently with minimal water consumption in a water-stressed region and powered by 100% renewable energy by 2030.

Economic and Social Impact

The construction of the Dakar facility is expected to create significant employment opportunities. Nearly 200 workers will be employed during the construction phase, while 20 permanent positions will be created for the ongoing operation of the data centre. Additionally, local suppliers, including architects, contractors, and maintenance companies, stand to benefit from the project.

This initiative also aligns with PAIX Data Centres’ commitment to fostering digital sovereignty in Senegal, reducing reliance on foreign infrastructure, and positioning the country as a key player in West Africa’s technological ecosystem.

Global Partnerships and Commitments

PAIX Data Centres, in collaboration with its investor Africa50—a fund established by 32 African governments, including Senegal—is committed to delivering best-in-class digital infrastructure to support innovation and growth in the region. The company’s involvement with the European Global Gateway Business Advisory Group further underscores its dedication to secure and resilient digital development in Africa.

The Dakar data centre will act as a gateway for connectivity between West Africa, Europe, and South America. The convergence of multiple submarine cables and terrestrial networks will create a robust hub for businesses in sectors such as cloud computing, content delivery, and social media.

Industry Leaders Celebrate the Initiative

Industry leaders and stakeholders have expressed their enthusiasm for the project.

Boubacar Fall Sy, Managing Director of PAIX Data Centres Senegal, highlighted the facility’s importance in supporting digital transformation for local and international businesses.
Norman Albi, CEO of AFR-IX Telecom, noted that the data centre would enhance connectivity and innovation across the region.
Yankhoba Ndiaye, Managing Director of Dariss Consulting, emphasized the role of the project in advancing Senegal’s digital sovereignty and reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure.
Wouter van Hulten, CEO of PAIX Data Centres, called the Dakar facility a strategic gateway for global connectivity, noting its appeal to cloud, content delivery, and social media companies.

A Milestone for Senegal’s Digital Future

The PAIX Dakar data centre is set to transform Senegal into a major hub for digital services in West Africa, attracting investment and supporting the technological aspirations of local businesses. With a strong commitment to sustainability and economic growth, PAIX Data Centres is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital infrastructure on the continent.

For more information about PAIX Data Centres, visit www.PAIX.io.

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