Burkina Faso’s data centres deepen digital independence
Burkina Faso inaugurated two new mini data centres as part of its “zero external data” initiative that aims to store and manage sensitive national data within Burkina Faso, according to a report by TechAfrica News on January 23rd.
The new data centres, which form part of 12 flagship digital transformation projects, have been positioned by the government as data infrastructure that is meant to serve the state as well as its citizens, and contribute to the country’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign hosting services.
The facilities are expected to be operated by domestic technical teams, enhancing national expertise and a long-lasting digital ecosystem. With a combined storage capacity of about 3,000 terabytes, more than 7,000 virtual machines can be supported.
The project is estimated to generate savings of 30 billion FCFA (approximately $26.6 million) over five years and cost approximately 16 billion FCFA (approximately $49.8 million) to set up. While Burkina Faso stresses sovereignty in political rhetoric and policy, the initiative aims to deepen digital independence against interference from Western-led institutions and former colonial powers.
While the Captain Ibrahim Traoré-led junta has struggled with legitimacy and ongoing security issues, it has tried to reassert itself in various domains, such as improving the country’s digital infrastructure. In 2024, the military government made an investment of over 18 billion CFA francs ($30 million) in developing digital infrastructure.
Along with the mini data centres, the military government has also launched a Digital Infrastructure Supervision Centre estimated to cost $5.4 million, according to Biometric Update on January 22nd.
Some would argue that the Alliance of the Sahel states (AES) being increasingly isolated by the international community, makes sovereignty the need of the hour. The trio had launched their combined biometric passports in 2024 in a major step towards digital transformation.
Andile Ngcaba, a tech entrepreneur and digital infrastructure pioneer, emphasised that Africa needs to control its own digital infrastructure, data, and algorithms, to protect itself from “digital colonisation”. He said AI sovereignty is a way for governments to safeguard national data, which comes through “policy reform, local infrastructure, and youth innovation.”
The African data centre market is projected to reach around $9.15 billion by 2029. If governments work together within Africa, digital self-determination and a reduced reliance on foreign tech giants could become a practical reality.
TechAfrica News, We Are Tech Africa, BiometricUpdate.com, iAfrica, New America, Maghrebi.org
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