Data centre company Open Access Data Centres (OADC) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) investment management company TEXAF have signed a landmark shareholder agreement for the operation of OADC Kinshasa, which will be the country’s first open-access, Tier-III certified carrier-neutral data centre when it goes live in November.

OADC is a subsidiary of hyperscale carrier company WIOCC Group. OADC is the fastest-growing data centre company in Africa and will operate the TEXAF-backed data centre

“OADC Kinshasa will boost the DRC’s economy by delivering vibrant digital ecosystems and converged open digital infrastructure services, including tailored colocation and reliable connectivity, which can be used by content providers, cloud operators, telecommunications companies and Internet service providers to provide a multitude of digital products and services to business and domestic customers,” said WIOCC Group CEO Chris Wood.

The 2 MW OADC Kinshasa is an important, strategic element of digital infrastructure for the DRC, which the World Bank says is one of the most under-developed digital economies in Africa. 

The data centre will be located in TEXAF's digital hub Silikin Village.

The data centre will also create rich and vibrant digital ecosystems, and provide content distribution networks and cloud content providers with access to a quality peering location in the country.

OADC Kinshasa will underpin and expedite further development of the country’s information and communications technology capabilities, delivering colocation and other value-added data centre services that support the cloud infrastructure needs of a wide range of businesses and enterprises, enabling them to improve efficiency, expedite digitisation initiatives and more effectively service business and customer needs, the companies said.

The open, carrier-neutral facility will create the vibrant and comprehensive interconnection and peering ecosystem, involving multiple carriers, Internet service providers, content providers and Internet Exchanges, which will be a first in the DRC and transform the digital infrastructure ecosystem.

“There has already been strong uptake from telcos looking to colocate in our facility, while the banking sector is leading the way in adopting OADC solutions. It is also attracting large international content providers to the DRC,” said OADC DRC MD Mohammed Bouhelal.

“We are proud to be partnering with OADC in the creation of another essential building block of the digital ecosystem here in the DRC. This fully validates our strategy of attracting international industry leaders such as OADC to the country and specifically into our new Silikin Village digital hub. It is also an affirmation of our standing and reputation in the country,” added TEXAF CFO Christophe Evers.