Page 36 - EngineerIt March 2021

INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

Ethiopia gets its first private data centre

edFox Solutions Group is breaking Why Ethiopia?
Rground to build Ethiopia’s first private Ethiopia’s rapid growth as Africa’s fastest
data centre. This bold move looks to bring growing economy has put it on the map, and
state-of-the-art infrastructure, availability, investors are taking notice. “We believe that
efficiency and sustainability to this sought- Ethiopia is ripe for investment and is fast
after ICT hub. becoming a hotbed for the strongest presence
Known as RFDC1, the data centre will be in the data centre industry,” says Theodros.
built in the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, “The country is on the verge of deploying Adrian Duddingh and Adane Kassaye
at the ICT Park. RedFox Solution Group chief renewable hydropower and around the globe,
technology advisor (CTA) Dagmawe Theodros operators are eyeing government policies that
says that this investment affirms the require data centres to be housed in the same company was founded in Germany in 1961 and today
company’s commitment to Ethiopia, bringing country from which the data is accessed – this comprises 58 subsidiaries. Our African head office is
digital transformation to the country”. could have a huge influence.” based in South Africa and will provide both on-site and
The inauguration ceremony took place Empowering the country through off-site support for this project,” says Adrian Buddingh,
on Tuesday 16 March at the Sheraton comprehensive data centre solutions, managing director of Rittal (Pty) Ltd.
in Addis Ababa and saw addresses by RedFox was founded by Ethiopian diaspora Speaking to its footprint in Africa, Buddingh says
prominent local figures such as the State professionals with multiple years of experience that Rittal has had its sights firmly set on Ethiopia as
Minister of the Ministry of Finance, H.E. in the areas of telecoms and information part of its long-term growth strategy. “The company
Dr. Eyob Takalign Tolina, Deputy Director- technology. The founders have led numerous will oversee the installation and commissioning of a
General of Technology and Innovation cutting edge technology deployments in modular solution for this project. We are so pleased to
Institute (TechIn) H.E. Engineer Teshome different business verticals. partner with RedFox Solutions Group on this project.
Sahilemariam, Chief Executive Officer of The company’s vision aligns with ours and the roll-out
RedFox Solutions Group, Mr. Adane Kassaye, In partnership with Rittal thus far has been exciting”, Buddingh. said. n
and Chief Technology Advisor, Dagmawe Rittal is the world’s leading systems provider
Theodros. Rittal Managing Director Adrian and has been awarded the contract to supply www.rittal.co.za
Buddingh also addressed the audience. cutting edge data centre technologies. “Our www.redfoxsolutionsgroup.com

Liquid Telecom takes on the world as

Liquid Intelligent Technologies

ver the last two decades, Liquid Telecom has firmly established itself as the leading pan-African
Odigital infrastructure provider with an extensive network spanning over 73,000 km. The company
has rebranded itself as Liquid Intelligent Technologies, highlighting the organisation’s expansion of
its cloud business, cyber security services and other technologies added to its existing telecoms and
connectivity capability.
This furthers the group’s aim of accelerating growth by providing tailor-made digital solutions to
businesses in the public and private sectors across the continent.This strategic rebrand reflects Liquid’s
new digital-first product offerings, enabling employees and customers to interact with each other
digitally, irrespective of the time or location.
By aggressively expanding into new countries, including Nigeria and the Democratic Republic Nic Rudnick
of Congo, Liquid Intelligent Technologies is bringing its award winning, high-performance network
connectivity closer to more people and accelerating the development of the digital workplace.
As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Liquid Intelligent Technologies is redefining network, cloud and excited to be executing our vision of bringing
cyber security offerings through strategic partnerships with leading global players, bringing innovative new technological opportunities to the market
business applications, intelligent cloud services and world-class security to the African continent. with a highly differentiated product set,
With the future of network security driven from the cloud, Liquid Intelligent Technologies’ recently supported by our existing infrastructure and
launched its cyber security business unit, which uniquely delivers security at its core, protecting digital innovation. “ n
businesses’ data throughout its life cycle.
Nic Rudnick, group chief executive officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, says: “The ongoing
investment in our networks and data centres across Africa has uniquely positioned us to utilise our
infrastructure to accelerate the availability of new intelligent technologies; this includes the high
computing power of the cloud, artificial intelligence and cyber security to our customers. We are now

EngineerIT | March 2021 | 34