Ivory Coast Data Center construction is advancing under a US-backed $170 million digital infrastructure programme. The project will deliver the country’s first state-owned national data center. It will also support government digitization and smarter border management.
The development marks a major step in Côte d’Ivoire’s push for digital sovereignty. The facility will allow the government to host and protect sensitive data domestically.
The United States Export-Import Bank (EXIM) provides the financial backing. However, the $170 million package covers three related digital infrastructure components. These include the national data center, a government digitization platform and an intelligent border surveillance system.
Ivory Coast Data Center construction advances
The Ivory Coast Data Center forms the core infrastructure component of the wider programme. EXIM approved a $66.1 million guarantee specifically for its construction.
Cybastion leads delivery of the national data center with support from US technology partners. Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Schneider Electric are among the partners.
The project has already moved beyond the planning stage. Côte d’Ivoire began construction before receiving the latest financing support.
The government laid the foundation stone in December 2023 at the Agence Ivoirienne de Gestion des Fréquences site.
Cybastion later reported that construction had passed the 20% completion mark. The company also continued technical training for future facility operators.
A December 2025 site visit highlighted completed construction milestones and upcoming operational phases. PORTEO Group also participated in construction activities at the site.
The facility will provide secure domestic hosting for government information and digital public services. It will therefore strengthen resilience against external infrastructure disruptions.
Ivory Coast Data Center targets digital independence
The Ivory Coast Data Center also supports the government’s wider digital transformation strategy. Its development responds to growing demand for locally hosted digital services.
The project will strengthen cybersecurity while giving authorities greater control over sensitive government information. It could also support future artificial intelligence and cloud workloads.
Côte d’Ivoire wants to establish itself as a leading digital hub in West Africa. Therefore, sovereign infrastructure forms an important part of that ambition.
The US-backed programme also reflects growing American involvement in Africa’s digital infrastructure market. EXIM structured its financing through the China and Transformational Exports Program.
EXIM approved more than $100 million in guarantees across two Côte d’Ivoire digitalization transactions. The national data center received $66.1 million, while government digitization received $47.1 million.
In July 2026, Côte d’Ivoire formally authorized Cybastion to proceed with the broader $170 million programme. The package combines digital infrastructure with a smart border management system.
Cybastion also led American and Ivorian investors on a visit to the national data center in July. The engagement highlighted the project’s investment potential and strategic importance.
The facility is expected to open next year, according to reporting published on September 8, 2026. That timeline places the project among Côte d’Ivoire’s most significant near-term digital infrastructure developments.
The project also reflects a wider expansion of data center construction across West Africa. Nigeria is pursuing similar digital infrastructure through MTN’s major facility, which will provide 1,500 racks and Tier 4 resilience. Read more about the MTN Nigeria data center project, which highlights the region’s growing demand for secure, high-capacity digital infrastructure.
Project Fact Sheet
Name: Côte d’Ivoire National Data Center.
Location: Côte d’Ivoire, with construction taking place within the country’s technology infrastructure network.
Purpose: Establish the country’s first state-owned national data center.
Wider programme value: $170 million.
Data center financing: $66.1 million EXIM guarantee.
Financing institution: Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).
Financing programme: China and Transformational Exports Program.
Construction status: Construction has progressed beyond 20%.
Foundation stone: December 14, 2023.
Main objective: Strengthen Côte d’Ivoire’s digital sovereignty and cybersecurity.
Planned capability: Domestic hosting, storage and protection of government data.
Wider components: Government digitization platform and intelligent border surveillance system.
Technology focus: Secure digital infrastructure supporting government services and future digital workloads.
Expected opening: 2027, according to September 2026 reporting.
Strategic importance: Supports Côte d’Ivoire’s ambition to become a major West African digital hub.
Project Team
Government client: Government of Côte d’Ivoire.
Digital authority: Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization.
Lead Technology Company: Cybastion.
Financing institution: Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM).
Networking technology partner: Cisco.
Infrastructure technology partner: Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
Data center technology partner: Schneider Electric.
Construction partner: PORTEO Group.
Technical studies support: National Bureau of Technical Studies and Development (BNETD-APL).
Financing programme: EXIM China and Transformational Exports Program.
Financial partner: Citibank.
US technology consortium: Cybastion and participating American technology companies.
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