This investment was announced during a press conference held in Cairo on Tuesday.

RDC, a subsidiary of Raya Information Technology, will collaborate with Africa50, the pan-African infrastructure investor and asset manager.

Constructing a new Tier III data centre in Egypt will accelerate the nation’s digital transformation and reinforce its status as a regional technology hub. It will also meet the increasing demand for advanced data capacity and cloud computing services.

Following this investment, the market valuation of Raya Data Centre is expected to exceed EGP 2.2 billion.

The forthcoming data centre will be among the leading certified tier III facilities in Egypt. Construction is set to commence in early 2025. 

Raya Data Centre and Africa50's partnership bridges digital infrastructure gaps across the continent. The facility will also adhere to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by integrating eco-friendly and energy-efficient practices throughout its construction and operations, promoting green infrastructure and long-term sustainability.

“This partnership represents a significant milestone in advancing Egypt’s digital infrastructure and establishing the country as a regional technology hub. It reflects our shared commitment to innovation and sustainable growth across vital industries,” Ahmed Khalil, CEO of Raya Holding, said during the conference.

Khalil added that the new tier III data centre will address the urgent need for reliable, scalable, and certified digital infrastructure in Egypt and Africa, reaffirming Raya Holding’s commitment to transformative projects that create long-term value for stakeholders and stimulate economic growth.

Hisham Abdelrassoul, CEO of Raya Information Technology, stressed the company's focus on entrepreneurship in digital transformation. 

"This partnership with Africa50 will significantly enhance our capacity to support digital economic growth, ensuring the efficient delivery of critical services,” he said.

Raza Hasnani, managing director and head of infrastructure investments at Africa50, said: “This investment is a crucial component of our expanding pan-African data centre portfolio.”

“RDC’s data centres will not only support the Egyptian government's digitization efforts but also bolster the digital infrastructure necessary for the thriving SME and startup ecosystem. Furthermore, Raya Holding’s commitment to reducing emissions through renewable energy aligns with Africa50’s mission to build sustainable economies,” he added.

Hasani explained that Egypt has emerged as a pivotal player in Africa's investment landscape, having laid the groundwork for one of the continent's most significant infrastructure platforms. 

“With over 20 investments across 13 countries and more than $1.2 billion in committed capital, Egypt was among the first nations to embrace the vision of Africa as a collaborative platform designed by Africans to attract global investors and address critical gaps in education and services,” he said.

According to Hasani, Africa50’s shareholder base has expanded to include more than 30 African countries, reflecting a growing commitment to infrastructure development across various sectors. 

“Digital infrastructure, in particular, is gaining prominence, fuelled by the proliferation of smartphones, increased digitization of services, the rise of cloud computing, and the burgeoning adoption of artificial intelligence,” he further noted.

Hasani also highlighted that, despite substantial progress since the early 2000s, internet access remains a challenge, with only 43 percent of Africans connected.

Hasani explained that this figure lags behind the global averages of 67 percent for the Asia-Pacific region and 72 percent for Latin America. 

While Egypt leads the continent with a 72 percent internet penetration rate, it still falls short of North African neighbours like Morocco, which boasts over 90 percent,” Hasani said.

According to Hasani, establishing data centres is crucial to address the demand for data services. 

“Currently, only 10 percent to 30 percent of Africa's effective demand for data centre capacity is being fulfilled. Egypt, as the continent's third-largest data centre market, is strategically positioned to enhance its digital infrastructure. With 14 subsea cables facilitating global connectivity and a commitment to renewable energy, Egypt presents an attractive hub for data centre operations,” he explained.

He added that the Egyptian government’s Vision 2030 initiative aims to digitize services and increase renewable energy usage, aligning perfectly with Africa 50's goals of building sustainable infrastructure.

“As Egypt continues to evolve into a tech and innovation hub, the demand for digital services is expected to rise. This partnership is poised to play a crucial role in supporting Egypt's ambitions within the digital landscape, ultimately enriching the lives of its citizens and enhancing the continent's infrastructure,” Hasani affirmed.