Data Centers in Cotonou
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Cotonou – Your Hub for West African Digital Services
Executive Summary
Cotonou is establishing itself as a key digital entry point for West Africa. For businesses targeting the region's growing economies, the city offers foundational connectivity and colocation options. Deploying infrastructure here reduces latency and improves application performance for a significant and expanding user base.
Cotonou: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Developing international connectivity with key submarine cable landings. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Nearest major cloud hubs are in Lagos, Nigeria. |
| Power Cost | US$0.14/kWh – as of September 2025 | Reflects industrial rates; primarily fossil fuel-generated power. |
| Disaster Risk | High (5.3/10) – as of September 2025 | Significant risk from river flooding and epidemics; infrastructure vulnerability is high. |
| Tax Incentives | No | No specific data center incentives are currently in place. |
| Sales Tax | ~18% VAT – as of September 2025 | Standard Value Added Tax applies to most goods and services. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Carrier density in Cotonou is growing, with a handful of regional and local providers present in the market as of September 2025. The primary data center facility operates on a carrier-neutral basis, providing essential interconnection options.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct cloud on-ramps in Cotonou as of September 2025. Businesses requiring dedicated cloud access must connect to providers in Lagos, Nigeria, typically through private network extensions or IP transit.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): The Benin Internet Exchange (BeninIX) is the primary IXP in Cotonou. It facilitates local traffic exchange, which can lower transit costs and improve latency for domestic users.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server availability is limited but can be sourced through providers specializing in emerging markets. Solutions from providers like IONOS or Leasebeweb can often be deployed to serve regional needs.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial power rates in Cotonou are approximately US$0.14/kWh as of September 2025. This cost is competitive for the region but is higher than in more established global markets, directly impacting operational expenditures for high-density deployments.
Power Grid Reliability: The national power grid has known reliability challenges. Data centers in Cotonou depend on extensive on-site power generation, typically diesel, and robust UPS systems to guarantee uptime and meet service level agreements.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Cotonou are situated to serve the city's primary commercial and administrative districts. The city is the economic capital of Benin, hosting the country's main port and key government functions.
Regional Market Reach: Cotonou provides a strategic location for serving Benin and neighboring countries like Togo, Nigeria, and Niger. Its port acts as a critical logistics and transit hub for the entire region.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: The government offers general investment incentives, but there are no specific tax advantages for data center development or operation. Businesses should plan for a standard tax framework without targeted benefits for IT infrastructure investment.
Natural Disaster Risk
Cotonou has a High-risk profile for natural disasters, with an overall INFORM Risk score of 5.3 out of 10 as of September 2025. The score reflects significant vulnerabilities in infrastructure and institutional coping capacity.
Key natural hazards include:
- River Flood: Score of 6.6, representing the most significant natural threat.
- Coastal Flood: Score of 1.9, a moderate concern given the city's coastal location.
- Drought: Score of 0.9, a less frequent but still present risk.
- Earthquake: Score of 0.1, indicating very low seismic risk.
