Mali inaugurated a Tier III data centre in its capital, Bamako, marking a key step in the country’s efforts to strengthen digital sovereignty and host sensitive data locally, officials said.
The facility, unveiled during the third edition of Mali’s Digital Week, is intended to support e-government services, public databases, and, over time, private-sector digital applications. Authorities said the project aims to reduce reliance on foreign cloud services, which historically have hosted much of the nation’s critical data abroad.
“This achievement constitutes a decisive step toward safeguarding and securing national data, helping ensure digital sovereignty and technological independence,” said Alhamdou Ag Ilyène, Mali’s Minister of Communication, Digital Economy and Administrative Modernization, during the inauguration ceremony.
The center meets Tier III international standards, guaranteeing service availability of 99.982% through full redundancy of critical systems, reliable power supply, and uninterrupted operations even during maintenance. Officials said it will host strategic e-government platforms and key state databases while gradually accommodating other digital services.
Authorities also outlined a phased plan to repatriate data currently stored outside Mali, particularly platforms developed under public service digitisation programs. The initiative is expected to improve data security, enhance digital service performance, and provide stronger regulatory oversight for sensitive information.
Regional momentum for digital sovereignty
Mali’s push comes amid a regional drive by Sahel countries to build sovereign digital infrastructure. Burkina Faso recently inaugurated advanced data facilities, while Niger has announced plans to acquire high-capacity data centers in the near future. These efforts reflect the Alliance of Sahel States’ (AES) ambition to create secure, locally controlled digital foundations and foster technical cooperation among member states.
However, officials acknowledged that digital sovereignty extends beyond infrastructure. Applications, operating systems, equipment, and service providers remain largely controlled by foreign firms. Experts said cultivating domestic skills, strengthening cybersecurity, and promoting homegrown technological solutions will be essential for fully leveraging the new facility.
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“The inauguration of this center is a major step, but the broader challenge lies in developing domestic technological capacity and governance frameworks to ensure national data is effectively managed and protected,” said Mamadou Coulibaly, a digital economy consultant based in Bamako.
Supporting innovation and e-government
Malian authorities said the data center will accelerate e-government programs, improve digital service delivery, and boost the country’s appeal to tech investors. Hosting both public and private-sector data locally is expected to ensure regulatory compliance, reduce response times for online services, and provide a secure environment for innovation.
The government also aims for the facility to support AES regional digital integration, promoting interoperability, shared resources, and collaborative technological development across member states.
With Mali’s digital economy expanding and online government services increasing, officials view the data center as a cornerstone for a robust, secure, and sovereign digital ecosystem. By anchoring sensitive data domestically and gradually repatriating information from foreign servers, Mali seeks greater control over its digital infrastructure and a foundation for a self-reliant, digitally enabled future.
Authorities said the project represents a strategic milestone in the country’s broader digital transformation agenda, highlighting Mali’s determination to combine technological advancement with national security and regional collaboration.
