PAIX Data Centres has signed a joint venture with the Djibouti Sovereign Fund to construct a cloud- and carrier-neutral data centre in Djibouti.

The facility will have about 50,000 square feet of net usable space and up to 5 megawatts of critical power. The first phase is expected to open in 2026.

The new facility will provide an interconnection hub for internet service providers, cloud providers, financial institutions, and enterprises.

Djibouti is a hub for connectivity on the east coast of Africa, as 10 undersea cables connect to the country. With more subsea cables planned, the companies say the data centre will be “a key access point for PAIX and its customers that wish to serve emerging markets in the region”.

Wouter van Hulten, CEO, PAIX Data Centres says: “PAIX’s investment in JIB1 positions it at the crossroads of connectivity between Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The strong network hub that is created by the aggregation of multiple undersea cable landing points connecting to terrestrial cables makes Djibouti a highly attractive gateway.

“We plan to develop thriving magnetic cloud and content hubs in Djibouti.”

Slim Feriani, CEO of the Djibouti Sovereign Fund adds: "As the heart of Africa's digital economy, Djibouti plays a strategic role in facilitating connectivity between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, PAIX Djibouti will serve as a catalyst for digital inclusion and economic development, empowering businesses to unlock new opportunities and realise their full potential in the digital age."

PAIX Data Centres is already operating in Accra, Ghana, and Nairobi, Kenya, and says the new data centre will offer “advanced cooling systems, redundant power sources, and robust security measures”.