Challenge
The government of Niger has launched a digital transformation plan within the framework of the Trans-Saharan Fiber Optic Backbone (DTS) project. The overall objective is to effectively increase regional connectivity and reduce high telecommunications costs. In this context, the government has requested Sofrecom to analyze the feasibility of constructing a national data center to:
- Host government applications and digital public services in a secure environment with a high level of service quality.
- Offer services to businesses, such as hosting, to monetize part of the available space.
Methodology
Audit of Existing Infrastructure and Needs Assessment
Our consultants first analyzed existing digital services (e-health, e-agriculture, etc.) and infrastructures (network, security, servers, storage, etc.) and estimated their future evolution based on the digital strategy and ambitions of the country. This allowed them to size the future data center and structure its physical security.
Detailed Design
Based on sizing and security estimates, our consultants provided specific recommendations. The characteristics of the future data center included:
- Building Design:
- Civil engineering: exterior and interior plans and building characteristics.
- Room layout.
- Electrical setup, air conditioning, etc.
- Security elements (fire safety, etc.).
- IT and Telecom Setup:
- Information system and network schematics within the data center.
- Quantities and functionalities of recommended equipment.
- Data security: physical separations, infrastructure redundancy, on-site backup, data encryption, etc
Research & Selection of Suitable Land
Simultaneously, our consultants analyzed the lands proposed by the government for the data center construction. To achieve a Tier III+ level, the chosen site needed to meet geographical and geological conditions ensuring redundancy in transmission infrastructures (fiber) and energy supply. The site also had to minimize risks of natural (floods, earthquakes, etc.) or human-made disasters (avoiding proximity to airports, chemical plants, etc.).
Drafting the Call for Tenders
Our consultants relied on the characteristics defined in the detailed design to draft a comprehensive call for tenders, enabling the Nigerien government to select the most suitable equipment suppliers and service providers for this project. It was crucial for this project to be a genuine driver of development for the country, without compromising the well-being of its citizens. Therefore, our consultants included environmental and societal requirements in this call for tenders.
Business plan
One of the state's objectives is to leverage this investment to generate revenue by commercializing services such as storage or cloud applications. Our consultants analyzed the B2B sector in Niger and the existing data center services. They then defined the services the government could offer to Nigerien businesses, estimated volume and value, and proposed a business plan.
Implementation Recommendations
Finally, our consultants outlined the necessary support plan for the successful execution of this project. They proposed a timeline and prioritized actions, defined governance, and estimated the necessary resources, both human and budgetary, to manage the project during the construction of the data center and adequately handle operations during the Run phase.
Result
The government of Niger now has all the necessary information to launch its call for tenders, select its partners, and effectively oversee the construction and launch of its national data center.
