Breaking ground to bring Ethiopia its first private data centre

RedFox Solutions Group is breaking ground to build Ethiopia’s first private data centre. This bold move looks to bring state-of-the-art infrastructure, availability, efficiency and sustainability to this sought-after ICT hub.

Known as RFDC1, the data centre will be erected in the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, at the ICT Park. RedFox Solution Group Chief Technology Advisor (CTA) Dagmawe Theodros says this investment affirms the company’s commitment to Ethiopia. “Our company strives to bring digital transformation to Ethiopia.”

The inauguration ceremony took place on Tuesday, 16 March at the Sheraton in Addis Ababa and saw addresses by prominent local figures such as the State Minister of the Ministry of Finance, HE Dr Eyob Takalign Tolina; Deputy Director-General of Technology and Innovation Institute (TechIn) HE Engineer Teshome Sahilemariam; Chief Executive Officer of RedFox Solutions Group, Adane Kassaye; Chief Technology Advisor, Dagmawe Theodros; and Rittal Managing Director, Adrian Buddingh also addressed the audience.

Why Ethiopia?

Ethiopia’s rapid growth as Africa’s fastest-growing economy has put it on the map, and investors are taking notice. “We believe that Ethiopia is ripe for investment and is fast becoming a hotbed for the strongest presence in the data centre industry,” says Theodros.

“The country is on the verge of deploying renewable hydropower and around the globe, operators are eyeing government policies that require data centres to be housed in the same country from which the data is accessed – this could have a huge influence.”

Empowering the country through comprehensive data centre solutions, RedFox was founded by Ethiopian-Diaspora Professionals with multiple years of experience in the areas of telecoms and IT. The founders have led numerous cutting-edge technology deployments in different business verticals.

In partnership with Rittal

RFDC1 is brought to the country in proud association with Rittal.

Rittal is the world’s leading systems provider and has been awarded the contract to supply cutting-edge data centre technologies. “Our company was founded in Germany in 1961 and today comprises 58 subsidiaries. Our African head office is based in South Africa and will provide both on-site and off-site support for this project,” says Adrian Buddingh, Managing Director of Rittal.

Speaking to its footprint in Africa, Buddingh says Rittal has had its sights firmly set on Ethiopia as part of its long-term growth strategy.

Buddingh says the company will oversee the installation and commissioning of a modular solution for this project.

“We are so pleased to partner with RedFox Solutions Group on this project. The company’s vision aligns with ours and the roll-out thus far has been exciting,” concludes Buddingh.