For a continent experiencing a digital boom, hosting its own data becomes essential. Local data centers offer not just independence, but also enhanced security and control over sensitive information.

Consulting and management firm Essor Services announced plans to launch a data center in Burkina Faso, partnering with Costa Rican clean energy company Kaia Energy. The initiative was discussed on July 22nd with Aminata Zerbo/Sabane (photo,center), Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications.

"We presented this project to the Minister, who recognized it as a critical need for Burkina Faso's development. She expressed strong support for the initiative," said Fidèle Rinsinda Komboigo, CEO of Essor Services.

The data center, powered by a 12-megawatt waste-to-energy plant, will process, host, and transfer data internationally. Completion is targeted for November 2025.

This project aligns with the Burkinabe government's "digitalization dynamic," aiming to integrate digital technology across sectors for social and economic progress. For Komboigo, it is Essor Services’s modest contribution to the implementation of Burkina Faso's digital economy policy.

The data center will not only reduce reliance on foreign data infrastructure but also enhance national data security. Furthermore, by utilizing waste for energy generation, the project promotes sustainable practices, waste management, and local job creation.

Samira Njoya