Phase one of Ghana’s first data centre to be ready in 24 months – Sam George

The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has announced that the first phase of Ghana’s first data centre is expected to be completed within 24 months as the government works to strengthen the country’s digital infrastructure and support the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

The facility is expected to provide computing capacity for researchers, universities and industry players who currently depend on computing resources and AI-related services purchased from providers outside Ghana.

Mr George said the government was undertaking procurement processes with the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to acquire the equipment and infrastructure required to establish the facility.

Speaking at JoyNews’ Digital Economy Forum on AI and the Ghana Economy, the minister said the first phase would deliver significant computing capacity that could be made available to local institutions, researchers and businesses.

“We are currently going through procurement with PPA on getting a data centre, the computer infrastructure and all the various parts of it put together. Twenty-four months from now, we should have phase one completed with serious computing infrastructure that we can then give to our researchers, our industry and our universities who are currently buying tokens outside the country and buying capacity outside the country,” he said.

The proposed data centre is expected to provide a foundation for Ghana’s growing artificial intelligence ambitions by improving access to computing resources within the country.

Currently, many researchers, universities and businesses rely on foreign providers for the computing capacity and AI services required for research, innovation and other digital activities.

The establishment of local computing infrastructure is expected to give these institutions greater access to the resources needed to develop and apply AI technologies.

However, Mr George cautioned that completing the first phase of the project would not immediately resolve all of Ghana’s AI infrastructure needs.

He described the initiative as the beginning of a longer process, stressing that the government was focused on putting essential foundations in place to support the country’s digital transformation.

“It is the first step, it is a long journey. Are we going to fix all of our AI needs in two years before the Mahama administration is off? That is wishful thinking, it is impossible, but we are taking the key foundational steps that will set this country on the right track for its AI journey,” he added.

The government is currently working through procurement procedures with the PPA to secure the necessary equipment and infrastructure for the project.

The 24-month timeline announced by the minister is for the completion of the first phase, rather than the entire development of Ghana’s AI infrastructure.

The project forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s digital capabilities and improve access to computing resources for institutions and businesses.

If completed as expected, the first phase could provide local researchers, universities and industry players with an important domestic resource for AI-related research, innovation and development.