India's RailTel Wins Contract to Build Government Data Center in Ethiopia

India's RailTel to Develop Government Data Center for Ethiopia January 13, 2026 In a move highlighting India's growing role as a digital infrastructure partner in Africa, state-owned RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. has secured a significant international contract to build a data center for the Ethiopian government. The project underscores the strategic importance of digital sovereignty and robust IT infrastructure for national administrations, particularly in developing economies seeking to modernize public services and secure sensitive government data. The contract, awarded by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, tasks RailTel with establishing a dedicated data center within the existing premises of Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital, Addis Ababa. Valued at approximately Rs 19.84 crore ($2.2 million), the project is slated for completion within a year, with RailTel providing ongoing operation and maintenance support for an additional three years post-launch. The initiative is a direct component of India's support for Ethiopia's broader Digital Ethiopia Strategy. While specific technical details regarding the facility's size and IT capacity remain undisclosed, the project marks a pivotal step in RailTel's international expansion strategy. Sanjay Kumar, RailTel's Chairman and Managing Director, stated, "RailTel sincerely thanks the Ministry of External Affairs for entrusting us with this prestigious international assignment. We remain fully committed to delivering this project with the highest standards of professionalism, quality, and reliability. This engagement further strengthens RailTel’s role as a global digital infrastructure partner aligned with India’s development cooperation objectives." The Ethiopian data center deal follows RailTel's recent domestic expansion, including the inauguration of a 10MW facility in Noida, India, in late 2025 and a rollout of edge data centers across the country. The company, originally formed to modernize India's railway communications, is now actively pursuing opportunities beyond its home market, with a focus on regions including the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. For Ethiopia, the project represents a concrete advancement in its digital transformation agenda, enabling enhanced data management and security for critical government functions. Source: datacenterdynamics