Keypoints:
- EXIM Bank funds $66m data centre
- First EXIM-backed project in sub-Saharan Africa
- Part of Ivorian digital sovereignty strategy
THE US Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank) has approved $66 million in financing to support the construction of Cote d’Ivoire’s second national data centre, in a move aimed at strengthening the country’s digital sovereignty and expanding its fast-growing technology sector.
The announcement was made in Washington last week following meetings between Ivorian Minister of Digital Transition and Digitalisation Ibrahim Kalil Konaté and senior US officials.
According to the US embassy in Abidjan, the project marks the first EXIM Bank-backed data centre in sub-Saharan Africa and signals Washington’s intent to play a bigger role in shaping Africa’s digital infrastructure.
‘This data centre will be the first of its kind supported by EXIM Bank in sub-Saharan Africa, illustrating the leading role of the US in the deployment of reliable, high-quality, and secure digital infrastructure,’ the embassy said in a statement.
First of five national facilities
Cote d’Ivoire currently has only a handful of large-scale data centres, concentrated in Abidjan and mostly in private hands. The government has pledged to build five national facilities within the next three years as part of a wider digital sovereignty strategy.
The latest EXIM Bank financing complements an earlier initiative involving US cybersecurity firm Cybastion, which is helping to develop the country’s first national data centre in Abidjan-Marcory.
Officials say the investment is designed not only to boost data security but also to reduce reliance on foreign-controlled infrastructure — a concern that became urgent after a March 2024 submarine cable outage disrupted services across West Africa.
Digital economy potential
The new project aligns with projections by the World Bank, which estimates that Cote d’Ivoire’s digital economy could generate more than $20bn by 2050 if the right mix of infrastructure, platforms, financial services, entrepreneurship and skills training is scaled up.
The World Bank notes that secure data storage is critical to unlocking value across sectors from finance and trade to healthcare and agriculture. By positioning itself as a regional digital hub, Cote d’Ivoire aims to strengthen competitiveness within the Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa (UEMOA).
Macroeconomic strength attracts investment
Cote d’Ivoire’s macroeconomic track record is another draw for investors. Between 2012 and 2023, the country averaged annual growth of seven per cent, with forecasts of 6.5 per cent for both 2024 and 2025.
That performance, combined with political stability and ambitious reforms, has made Abidjan one of West Africa’s most attractive destinations for digital and infrastructure projects.
Analysts say EXIM Bank’s involvement not only reinforces bilateral ties with Washington but also reflects a broader US strategy to counterbalance China’s expanding digital footprint on the continent.
Strategic entry point
By backing this project, EXIM Bank secures an entry point into the UEMOA region, a market of more than 130 million people with increasing demand for digital services.
For Cote d’Ivoire, the centre represents more than bricks and mortar. It is a signal of intent to chart its own digital future, safeguard sensitive national data and create conditions for homegrown innovation.
With construction underway and multiple facilities in the pipeline, the country is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation drive — and the US is betting heavily on its success.
