Mozambique: Raxio Mozambique data center inaugurated in Beluluane

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Mozambique: Raxio Mozambique data center inaugurated in Beluluane

10:43 CAT | 29 May 2024

File photo: O Pais

On Monday, Mozambique marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art data center by Raxio Mozambique in Beluluane Industrial Park, Matola-Rio. This $20 million investment aims to connect both national and international internet service providers.

With a simple ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Governor of Maputo Province, Manuel Tule, the country witnessed the birth of an international-standard infrastructure poised to aid in Mozambique’s digital transformation.

The data center is designed to host connectivity providers, including fiber and other internet services, catering to both public and private sectors. During its construction phase, the project employed 200 workers, with 80 during the technology implementation phase, and currently operates with a team of 17.

“A data center like this aggregates connectivity. All fiber connectivity providers, both local and international, can bring their services here to serve local businesses and the public sector, thus energizing the digital ecosystem. This center also hosts cloud and virtualization providers, which are crucial services for both public and private sectors, allowing us to achieve the data sovereignty that the government has been advocating for years,” stated Emídio Amadebai, the company’s general director.

The company’s management emphasized that Raxio can help the market by bringing typically outsourced services, like those of TikTok, Microsoft, and Google, to Mozambique.

“We typically access these services abroad, leading to high internet costs. This was evident in a recent student strike over high internet costs in Mozambique. The absence of such infrastructure locally forces large operators like Microsoft and Amazon to establish their setups in neighboring countries, increasing costs for us. By hosting cloud providers at Raxio, these services become more accessible and affordable,” explained Amadebai.

The CEO of Raxio announced the commencement of the company’s activities in the country, expressing gratitude for the support of their partners and highlighting the company’s footprint in Africa.

“Raxio is now the data center operator with the largest geographical presence in Africa, with data centers at various stages of operation and development in seven countries: Uganda, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Ivory Coast, Congo, Angola, and Tanzania. Our launch here is the second in a series planned for 2024, marking a significant year for us. This is the result of our efforts over the past five years. In 2024, we will also open centers in Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Congo, and Angola,” said the CEO.

Governor Tule not only performed the symbolic ribbon-cutting but also spoke about the infrastructure’s importance for the country and the world.

“The establishment of this significant data center, the first of its kind and the most advanced in the country, marks a substantial step in Mozambique’s journey towards digital transformation,” the governor stated in his speech.

Attendees highlighted the enhanced quality the data center could bring to the global market.

“This investment aids individuals like me and helps the country develop its technology and telecommunications sector. Without a data center, the country cannot maintain its data internally, which is crucial,” said Pedro Rabaçal, a technology consultant.

Alexandre Nheve, the general director of Seacom, noted that submarine cables connecting to Raxio could reduce internet costs for the community.

“Such infrastructures attract various partners to establish their setups, ensuring the network’s quality is a reality,” Nheve added.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from public and private entities, the administrator of Matola-Rio, diplomats, and other dignitaries.

Source: O Pais