Itana, the pioneering force behind Africa’s first Digital Special Economic Zone, has announced a groundbreaking initiative: the continent’s first full-stack growth zone dedicated to AI and data companies. This move marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s technological evolution, offering a comprehensive infrastructure designed to empower local innovators and reduce reliance on foreign platforms. As global momentum for artificial intelligence accelerates, Itana positions Africa to take an active role in shaping the future.
Bridging Infrastructure Gaps in the AI Race
The global AI boom has underscored a stark imbalance in infrastructure, with Africa trailing due to limited access to computing power, data storage, and cloud services. Founders and researchers on the continent currently depend on expensive GPU resources hosted abroad, and the cost of storing sensitive data locally remains prohibitively high. Itana’s initiative aims to reverse this trend by providing critical resources within Africa, closing the infrastructure gap and enabling homegrown innovation.
Empowering Builders with End-to-End Support
Itana’s new AI and data zone will deliver a robust suite of services tailored to the needs of modern tech companies. This includes affordable GPU compute power for large language model training, compliant data infrastructure that meets local regulatory standards, and access to a pipeline of skilled MLOps engineers and AI professionals. The zone will also offer regulatory guidance, startup grants, and connections to a network of aligned investors, ensuring that companies can scale effectively without leaving the continent.
A Call to Build, Not Just Consume
Leaders in the African tech ecosystem have voiced strong support for the initiative, emphasizing the strategic importance of building local AI capabilities. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, General Partner at Future Africa and an investor in Itana, noted that Africa’s success in the AI era depends on its ability to develop its infrastructure rather than rely on imported technologies. He praised Itana’s AI/Data Hub as a foundational step toward a sovereign and competitive digital future for the continent.
An Urgent Mission for the Continent
Mayowa Olugbile, CEO of Itana, highlighted the urgency of the mission, stating that Africa stands at a critical juncture in its AI journey. The continent faces many challenges that AI is well-positioned to address—such as inefficient logistics and fragmented public services—but lacks the tools to implement effective solutions. According to Olugbile, this new initiative is about equipping African builders with the infrastructure needed to create those solutions locally and sustainably.
About Itana and Its Vision
Itana operates as Africa’s first digital special economic zone and serves as Nigeria’s first licensed digital zone management company. The platform enables global businesses to incorporate remotely in Nigeria and benefit from laws and services tailored to digital enterprises. With development funding and strategic backing from the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), Itana is rolling out its first phase with a project value of $100 million, establishing a strong foundation for the zone’s long-term success.
Itana’s full-stack growth zone represents more than just a technical upgrade—it’s a bold vision for Africa’s digital sovereignty and economic resilience. By investing in local infrastructure and talent, Itana is enabling a generation of African innovators to solve the continent’s most pressing challenges with AI. As this initiative unfolds, it could redefine Africa’s role in the global tech ecosystem and solidify its place at the frontier of the AI age.