Mali Inaugurates Tier III Data Center to Strengthen Digital Sovereignty in the Sahel
The new Tier III Data Center, presented by Mr. Cheick Oumar Traoré, Infrastructure Manager, meets the highest international standards, offering 99.982% service availability, full redundancy of critical equipment, and uninterrupted operations during maintenance.
As part of the 3rd edition of Digital Week in Mali, the Minister of Communication, Digital Economy and Administration Modernization, Mr. Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, officially inaugurated a Tier III Data Center on January 31, 2026. The ceremony was attended by digital ministers from the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), including Mrs. Aminata Zerbo/Sabane of Burkina Faso and Mr. Adji Ali Salatou of Niger, highlighting the regional significance of this strategic infrastructure.
The new Tier III Data Center, presented by Mr. Cheick Oumar Traoré, Infrastructure Manager, meets the highest international standards, offering 99.982% service availability, full redundancy of critical equipment, and uninterrupted operations during maintenance. It is designed to provide secure hosting for strategic state data, electronic administration platforms, public digital services, and, in the near term, mutualized digital infrastructures across the AES space.
Technically, the facility enables sovereign hosting of government databases and critical applications, reducing dependence on foreign infrastructure and extraterritorial cloud services. It also aims to improve the performance, resilience, and cybersecurity of digital public services, while providing a foundation for the development of e-government, artificial intelligence, digital financial services, and national and confederate digital platforms.
Beyond technology, the ministers emphasized the political and strategic significance of the project. They noted that digital sovereignty is a central pillar of AES Heads of State’s vision, alongside security, defense, and economic independence. By mastering the hosting, processing, and protection of national data, AES member states can regain control over public decisions, safeguard sensitive information, and build a secure and resilient digital space.
The inauguration of this Tier III Data Center represents a structural advancement for the AES region, enhancing the attractiveness of the Sahel space for administrations, companies, start-ups, and technical partners. It provides a trusted environment that encourages innovation, investment, and sustainable digital transformation across the Confederation.
