The European Investment Bank’s global arm, EIB Global, has granted a €43 million loan to Azerbaijan’s state-owned enterprise, AzInTelecom LLC, to develop a digital infrastructure for public administration. The funding will be used to construct two new state-of-the-art data centres offering cloud services and using green technologies.
That marks EIB Global’s first loan to Azerbaijan’s public sector. The project aims to improve the security, speed, and accessibility of government services while fostering innovation and creating skilled jobs. Expected to be completed by 2027, it will modernise public administration, contribute to sustainable economic growth, and support social progress in the country.
The initiative aligns with the European Union’s Economic and Investment Plan for the Eastern Partnership and the Global Gateway strategy. These frameworks underscore the EU’s commitment to promoting digital transformation and sustainable development in the region.
By supporting this project, the EU aims to help Azerbaijan achieve greater innovation, transparency, and economic resilience, contributing to broader regional stability and progress goals.
Google and the Andhra Pradesh government in India have agreed to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre in Visakhapatnam. That move is expected to enhance the state’s digital ecosystem significantly.
The AI Data Centre will transform Visakhapatnam into a major hub for AI, sea cables, and data centres, drawing global attention and positioning the port city as a leader in technological advancements. The initiative is seen as a game-changer for the region, potentially stimulating economic and social growth by creating a robust IT ecosystem and generating substantial employment opportunities.
The Andhra Pradesh government has played a key role in bringing this partnership to life, with leadership efforts focused on fostering an environment conducive to technological innovation. Looking to the future, both Google and the state are optimistic about the transformative impact of the AI Data Centre on the region.
Google views the state as a key partner for future initiatives, and both parties are excited about the potential for innovation and technological progress. This collaboration aligns with the state’s progressive industrial policies, cultivating a business-friendly environment that attracts global investors like Google.
Luxembourg’s Gcore and the Middle East’s first Edge data centre provider, Qareeb Data Centres, have partnered to deliver AI, cloud, and Edge computing solutions across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. As Qareeb continues its rapid expansion, it is deploying Edge data centres across GCC countries and beyond, with an initial capacity exceeding 50MW.
Notably, its first data centre in Bahrain, developed in collaboration with Batelco and Beyon Group’s Data Oasis, marks a major milestone in its regional growth. At the same time, Gcore leverages its global reach, encompassing 180 points of presence, $60 million in Series A funding, and significant projects such as a GPU cluster at Telia’s Helsinki data centre.
By combining their strengths, the partnership aims to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and accelerate digital transformation in the Middle East, empowering businesses to meet the region’s evolving digital needs. Furthermore, this collaboration aligns with Gcore’s broader initiatives, including its joint venture with Ezditek to establish an AI factory in Saudi Arabia.
By integrating Qareeb’s localised expertise in Edge infrastructure with Gcore’s advanced technologies, the alliance is well-positioned to enhance regional technological capacity, support economic development, and address the increasing demand for digital infrastructure in the GCC and neighbouring markets.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and the Comoros National Agency for Digital Development (ANADEN) collaborate to advance ICT development in both countries. During a skills exchange meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania showcased its leadership in the ICT sector through significant achievements such as establishing a National Data Centre, earning recognition as a regional cybersecurity leader by ITU, and fostering widespread mobile money adoption, with over 60.8 million SIM cards registered and 90% population usage.
Inspired by these advancements, Comoros aims to develop similar infrastructure, including an e-government agency, a national domain registry, and a national data centre supported by the African Development Bank. The collaboration will emphasise capacity development and expertise sharing to strengthen ICT systems in Comoros.
Tanzanian experts will assist in enhancing system interoperability and training ICT professionals in Comoros to support sustainable development. Both countries share a vision of using ICT as a driver for economic growth, innovation, and digital transformation, highlighting the importance of regional partnerships in advancing technological progress.
Khazna, BEEAH, and the Sharjah Communication Technology Authority (SCTA) are partnering to enhance Sharjah’s digital infrastructure by developing advanced data centres. Building on a joint venture formed in 2022 between BEEAH and Khazna, SCTA is joining the effort to create Sharjah’s largest data centre, featuring a 9MW capacity, with the first phase focusing on Kalba.
That project aims to provide the necessary infrastructure to support digital transformation in Sharjah, driving innovation and enabling emerging technologies like AI and blockchain. As a result, the collaboration will advance telecommunications solutions and significantly contribute to the emirate’s broader digital growth.
In addition to fostering technological advancements, the partnership also emphasises sustainability. The project will explore eco-friendly energy solutions, such as waste-to-energy power generation, and incorporate greywater recycling systems to minimise water usage.
Moreover, energy-efficient technologies will be integrated to reduce the environmental footprint. Consequently, it will foster economic growth and technological leadership in the UAE.
Batelco and Qareeb Data Centers have partnered to enhance digital infrastructure in Bahrain by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at the Gateway Gulf Investment Forum 2024. The collaboration aims to develop the first White Space Data Centre in Bahrain, a key component of Beyon’s Data Oasis project, which will become the Kingdom’s largest technology hub.
The partnership aligns with Batelco’s strategy to expand its presence in the growing data centre market and digital infrastructure sector. Together, the companies will focus on delivering colocation services, implementing regional Data Centre initiatives, and offering managed digital services to meet the increasing demand for scalable and flexible solutions in the region.
As the data centre market in the region continues to grow, particularly in demand for local edge colocation services, Batelco and Qareeb Data Centers are well-positioned to capitalise on these trends. With Qareeb’s regional expansion objectives and Batelco’s established infrastructure capabilities, the partnership will drive advancements in Bahrain’s technology sector and contribute to the broader digital economy across the Gulf region.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is examining the rapid growth of energy-intensive data centers being built next to US power plants. Known as co-location, this trend is driven by the tech sector’s need for large amounts of power for AI and other data-heavy operations. Co-locating data centers near power plants offers companies quicker access to electricity, bypassing the longer process of connecting to the broader grid.
However, regulators and industry experts are concerned about the impact on costs and reliability for other electricity consumers. If data centers use power plants that typically supply the public grid, there are questions about how such facilities will handle power disruptions and whether they will lean on the grid as backup. This could mean higher electricity bills for consumers who fund grid infrastructure, a point raised by FERC Commissioner Mark Christie.
The regulatory scrutiny comes as companies like Amazon and Google look to establish co-located data centers to meet growing energy needs. A recent arrangement in Pennsylvania, where Amazon bought a data center linked to a nuclear plant, has stirred debate among electric utilities over infrastructure costs and reliability. FERC’s review could lead to new guidelines clarifying financial responsibilities and operational rules for these partnerships.
The United States, Japan, and South Korea collaborate to strengthen digital infrastructure development in India through the recently announced Digital Infrastructure Growth Initiative for India Framework, known as the DiGi Framework. The significant partnership seeks to leverage the strengths of three influential nations, with key financial support from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), and the Export-Import Bank of Korea (Korea Eximbank).
The primary objective of the DiGi Framework is to promote private sector investments in India’s digital infrastructure by addressing the strategic needs of various projects. Targeted sectors include multiple technologies and services, such as information and communications technologies (ICT), Open RAN, 5G telecommunications, submarine cables, optical fibre networks, telecom towers, data centres, smart cities, e-commerce, AI, and quantum technology.
Additionally, the initiative aims to foster meaningful dialogues between the Indian government and the private sector to promote funding for digital infrastructure projects. The collaborative effort builds upon an earlier agreement signed in August 2023, emphasising the importance of coordination and cooperation among like-minded countries to support private sector investment in infrastructure.
By enhancing collaboration and communication, the DiGi Framework aims to create an environment conducive to investment and innovation within India’s digital landscape. That initiative signifies a strong commitment to enhancing India’s digital infrastructure, positioning the country for sustainable growth and technological advancement in an increasingly digital world.
Why does it matter?
With the support of these three nations, the framework represents a strategic move to strengthen India’s technological capabilities and improve connectivity, ultimately benefiting its economic development and resilience in the face of future challenges.
China and Africa cooperate to enhance digital infrastructure, which has emerged as a cornerstone of their evolving economic partnership. Over the past decade, substantial investments from Chinese enterprises have facilitated the construction of essential digital frameworks across Africa.
That includes initiatives such as laying extensive fibre optic cables, establishing robust 5G networks and creating data centres that ensure high-speed connectivity. As a direct consequence of this collaboration, millions of people are now connected, and local economies are being transformed through expanded e-commerce opportunities. Notably, the surge in digital trade has opened new avenues for economic growth in African nations, attracting vital investments and fostering entrepreneurship.
Moreover, Chinese companies have played a crucial role in this transformative process by offering technical support, financial backing, and infrastructure development. Consequently, these efforts have contributed to a vibrant marketplace where an increasing number of online shoppers can access a diverse range of goods and services. Additionally, efforts to promote sustainable development are evident in the improvements to service trade and the establishment of resilient financial infrastructures. By leveraging advancements in digital technology, the partnership optimises sectors such as transport and tourism, enhancing operational efficiency and user experiences.
Why does this matter?
Furthermore, as financial technology (fintech) rapidly evolves, there is a focus on bolstering the stability of financial systems in African countries. By harnessing technologies like blockchain, IoT, and AI, Chinese financial institutions collaborate with local partners to create innovative service models, addressing financial risks and fostering an investment-friendly environment. Through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative, both regions are committed to advancing digital transformation while ensuring economic growth aligns with sustainable practices that benefit future generations.
Brazil is experiencing a transformative shift in its digital infrastructure landscape with the rebranding of Elea Data Centers from Elea Digital Data Centers. The strategic change, accompanied by the acquisition of two major data centre campuses in São Paulo, significantly bolsters Elea’s presence and capabilities in the Brazilian market.
Elea now operates nine facilities across five major metropolitan areas, making it the country’s largest decentralised data centre provider. Each facility is powered by 100% renewable energy, underscoring the company’s leadership in sustainable practices and setting a high standard for environmental responsibility within the industry.
The updated identity emphasises Elea’s mission to drive Brazil’s digital transformation by offering state-of-the-art infrastructure solutions catering to various technological needs. From edge computing to hyperscale data centres, Elea is committed to supporting the evolving demands of businesses and positioning Brazil at the forefront of technological innovation.
Why does this matter?
The rebrand reflects Elea’s dedication to preparing the nation for future advancements, particularly in emerging fields such as AI. It underscores the company’s role in shaping Brazil’s digital future, focusing on sustainability and cutting-edge technology.
