Vertiv, a provider of digital infrastructure, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US-based technology company Cybastion to collaborate on digital infrastructure opportunities and engage in large-scale data centre, artificial intelligence (AI) and sovereign digital infrastructure initiatives across Northwest Africa.
The initiative targets countries such as Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad and Gabon.
The agreement comes as African countries expand investment in data centre infrastructure to support digital services, AI and data sovereignty.
ITWeb Africa has previously reported growing demand for local data storage and processing capacity as governments and businesses seek greater control over data.
Through the MoU, Vertiv expects to engage earlier in large-scale digital infrastructure initiatives by combining its data centre expertise with Cybastion’s existing relationships and experience in government-led digital transformation programmes, according to Vertiv.
The framework is intended to be scalable and leveraged wherever joint opportunities arise, as Cybastion has a presence in West and Central Africa and is expanding in North Africa.
This geographic reach aligns with Vertiv’s regional growth strategy. Morocco, in particular, represents a key market, as it aims to become a regional digital hub and attract hyperscale and AI infrastructure investments, said Zineb Kamri, regional director for Northwest Africa at Vertiv.
The partnership also builds on Vertiv’s work in Morocco, where it signed an MoU with the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform in July to support digital infrastructure, cloud computing, AI and data centre development.
The agreement included discussions around a proposed 50MW sovereign data centre in Rabat.
Morocco’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy includes plans to expand the country’s digital economy and capabilities in areas including cloud and AI. ITWeb Africa has previously reported on the strategy’s focus on digital infrastructure and related technology investment.
Gabon provides another example of the push towards sovereign infrastructure.
ITWeb Africa reported in July that the country had launched its first sovereign data centre, developed through a partnership between the state and ST DIGITAL.
Kamri commented: “As AI, cloud and sovereign digital infrastructure investments accelerate across Africa, customers are increasingly seeking end-to-end ecosystems rather than standalone technology providers.
“Through our collaboration with Cybastion, Vertiv can position its power, cooling and critical infrastructure solutions within broader national digitalisation programmes, creating access to additional prospects.”
Dr Thierry Wandji, CEO of Cybastion, added: “As demand for data centres, AI infrastructure and secure digital platforms continues to grow across Africa, our collaboration with Vertiv strengthens our ability to rapidly deploy the critical digital infrastructure needed to help African countries move towards digital sovereignty."
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