Mali Inaugurates Tier III National Data Centre to Bolster Regional Digital Sovereignty
February 3, 2026
In a significant move to assert control over its digital infrastructure and data, Mali has officially inaugurated a Tier III-certified National Data Centre. The launch underscores a growing trend across Africa where nations are prioritizing data sovereignty and reducing reliance on foreign hosting services to secure sensitive government information and fuel local digital economies. The facility was inaugurated by Mali's Ministry of Communication, Digital Economy and Modernization of Administration, under Minister Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, during the country's third annual Digital Week. The ceremony was attended by digital economy ministers from fellow member states of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), which comprises Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Authorities stated the data center is built to the highest international standards, featuring 99.982% service availability, full redundancy of critical systems, and the ability to perform maintenance without service interruption. Designed to securely host strategic government data, e-administration platforms, and public digital services, the center is also envisioned to serve as shared digital infrastructure for the broader AES region in the near future. "This achievement represents a decisive step towards the preservation and security of national data, guaranteeing digital sovereignty and technological autonomy," said Minister Ag Ilyène at the inauguration. Mali's launch coincides with a continent-wide surge in data center development focused on sovereignty. Just last month, neighboring Burkina Faso inaugurated two new mini data centers with a combined storage capacity of approximately 3,000 terabytes. The trend extends beyond public projects, with significant private investment flowing into the sector. In November 2025, Botswana's BoFiNet launched a Tier III carrier-neutral facility, while major players like Teraco in South Africa, MTN and Equinix in Nigeria, and PAIX Data Centres in Senegal have all recently announced new builds or expansions. The proliferation of these facilities is poised to transform Africa's digital landscape by keeping data onshore, improving latency for local users, and creating a more resilient and interconnected digital ecosystem for governments and businesses alike.
Source: connectingafrica
