A sovereign data hosting center in Africa — the dream becomes reality with ST Digital's GPU Cloud Africa, which has great ambitions on the African continent. In less than 4 months, it promises to deploy next-generation infrastructure…
As the 3rd International Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens in Paris on 10 February 2025, ST Digital, a pioneering company in cloud and datacenter solutions in West and Central Africa, announces the launch of GPU Cloud Africa for the second quarter of 2025. This is the first sovereign AI server hosting offering equipped with NVIDIA GPU processors, in Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroun.
Africa, a driver of AI rather than a consumer
This infrastructure addresses an injustice that has confined Africa to consuming imported technologies. For this to change, the continent must have infrastructures capable of supporting the computational loads required by AI. This is precisely what ST Digital's GPU Cloud Africa data centre now makes available to African businesses and institutions. ST Digital intends, so to speak, to make Africa a driver rather than a mere spectator of AI, especially since this technology is no longer the future — it is the present.
The GPU Cloud Africa offering features high computing capacity for AI applications. It guarantees optimal performance for deep learning, big data analytics, and advanced simulations. Anthony Samé, Group Chief Executive Officer at ST Digital, makes no secret of his enthusiasm: "We are proud to offer a solution that combines performance, security, and data sovereignty. GPU Cloud Africa provides African innovators with the resources needed to develop their own AI solutions, without depending on foreign infrastructure."
GPU Cloud Africa Features
While awaiting its official launch, specialists are already impressed by the infrastructure's features. GPU Cloud Africa by ST Digital is, first and foremost, a NVIDIA GPU infrastructure capable of meeting local needs. It also provides a secure and sovereign environment for African data. Furthermore, it offers proximity technical support to assist developers, enabling African start-ups and research centers to develop their AI solutions under optimal conditions. And as an added bonus, pricing is adapted to local realities.
African businesses and institutions would be well advised to host their data there, provided they prioritize data sovereignty. ST Digital's arguments should convince them, as it involves a physical infrastructure in Africa guaranteeing sovereignty and performance; a comprehensive ecosystem integrating storage, computing, and development tools; and a scalable platform to meet the market's growing needs. And if that is not enough, ST Digital has a message for them: "We call upon the entire ecosystem — businesses, academic institutions, and public bodies — to join us in making Africa a key player in global AI."
Towards a digitally sovereign Africa
If that is still not enough, Anthony Samé adds: "Deploying servers with NVIDIA GPUs in Douala and Abidjan is an essential step towards a digitally sovereign Africa. Today, 95% of African AI talent is forced to use infrastructure and solutions with limited capabilities. For example, while a G7 startup can fine-tune its AI model in 30 minutes, our innovators must wait up to six days. This situation is no longer acceptable, especially at a time when AI is the engine of global economic transformation."
ST Digital is a cloud and datacenter player in West and Central Africa. Present in Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, Congo, Cameroun and Gabon, it carries the ambition of a 100% African Cloud accessible via cloudstore.africa. With recognised expertise and a commitment to excellence, ST DIGITAL is shaping the digital future of the continent.