Data Centers in Cotonou
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Cotonou – Gateway to West African Connectivity
Executive Summary
Cotonou is a strategic digital entry point for enterprises requiring access to the Gulf of Guinea. Its infrastructure supports critical low-latency routes for regional data distribution and connects landlocked neighbors to global subsea networks. This market is a key choice for organizations building a resilient footprint in a developing digital corridor.
Cotonou: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Stable access via major subsea cables. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Lagos serves as the nearest cloud hub. |
| Power Cost | US$0.14/kWh – as of September 2025 | Grid relies heavily on fossil fuel. |
| Disaster Risk | Moderate (5.3/10) – as of September 2025 | Primary concern is seasonal river flooding. |
| Tax Incentives | No – as of September 2025 | No specific incentives for digital infrastructure. |
| Sales Tax | 18.00% VAT – as of September 2025 | Standard national value-added tax rate. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Cotonou operates as a pivotal interconnection point for Benin and its neighbors. As of September 2025, the ecosystem is characterized by steady growth in infrastructure and regional peering.
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: Carrier count: ~5–10 carriers as of September 2025. The market features a mix of regional telecommunications providers and local internet service providers. While neutrality is emerging, many facilities offer flexible interconnection options for international partners.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: 0 as of September 2025, enabling access to 0 cloud regions. There are currently no direct on-ramps for AWS, Google Cloud (GCP), or Microsoft Azure within the city limits. Local enterprises typically use private network interconnects or dedicated wave services to reach cloud hubs in Lagos, Nigeria.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): The Benin Internet Exchange (Bénin-IX) facilitates local traffic exchange, reducing latency and transit costs for domestic providers. It helps keep local data within the borders while improving the experience for end users as of September 2025.
Bare Metal: Resilient bare metal services are available through regional providers and global specialists such as OVHcloud or Leaseweb, providing dedicated compute resources for specific workloads as of September 2025.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity is priced at US$0.14/kWh as of September 2025. The energy mix is dominated by fossil fuels at approximately 98.4%, with renewables accounting for 1.6%. This cost structure requires careful efficiency planning for high-density deployments.
Power Grid Reliability: The electrical grid in Cotonou is generally reliable within major business zones like Ganhi. Critical infrastructure often uses redundant feeds and multi-substation support to maintain uptime during peak demand periods as of September 2025.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers are located near the Ganhi district and the Port of Cotonou. This proximity is essential for logistics, banking, and government sectors that require low-latency access to their primary databases as of September 2025.
Regional Market Reach: Cotonou is a logistics hub for landlocked countries including Niger and Burkina Faso. Infrastructure here serves a total regional population exceeding 30 million people, providing a gateway for digital services for these expanding markets as of September 2025.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: There are no industry-specific tax breaks for data center operators in Benin. Businesses operate under the standard corporate fiscal framework, which focuses on broad economic development rather than tech-specific incentives as of September 2025.
Natural Disaster Risk
Cotonou carries a risk profile labeled as Moderate (5.3/10) as of September 2025. The primary environmental threats are related to water management and regional climate patterns.
- River Flood: 6.6 – The most significant natural hazard due to seasonal rainfall.
- Coastal Flood: 1.9 – A secondary regional risk managed through coastal defenses.
- Drought: 0.9 – A minor risk with limited impact on indoor infrastructure.
- Earthquake: 0.1 – Seismic activity is negligible in this region.
Other natural hazards are minor or are not listed for this specific geography as of September 2025. Organizations should focus on site-specific flood mitigation to ensure long-term operational resilience.
