By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Djibouti, (Dawan Africa) 24 Jul. 26 – The Djibouti government and LinkWise have signed a $1.35 billion memorandum of understanding for an integrated investment project in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, telecommunications and modern agriculture.
The agreement was signed during a meeting held at the Ayla Hotel in Djibouti. The Djiboutian government was represented by the Minister Delegate for Investment and Private Sector Development, Mariam Hamadou Ali. LinkWise was represented by a delegation led by the company’s founder and chief executive, Dr Thomas Wang.
The signing followed a working visit by the LinkWise delegation to Djibouti from July 14 to 20. During the visit, the delegation held technical meetings with relevant ministries and public institutions and inspected sites that could host the various components of the proposed project.
LinkWise’s plan includes the construction of a 100-megawatt high-performance computing centre dedicated to artificial intelligence. The facility would be powered by renewable energy projects capable of generating up to 500 megawatts, mainly from solar and wind sources. Energy-storage systems are also expected to be developed.
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The project will also include a digital industrial park, advanced telecommunications infrastructure and international data corridors. In addition, it proposes the development of a soil-free farming project using modern and environmentally friendly technologies to support food security.
According to the plan, the project will be fully financed by LinkWise investors. It is expected to create between 2,500 and 3,500 direct and indirect jobs.
The project is also expected to provide training opportunities for young Djiboutians in artificial intelligence, renewable energy and digital finance.
The Djiboutian government said the investment forms part of its Vision Djibouti 2035 development strategy and is expected to strengthen the country’s position as a regional centre for digital technology, energy and trade connectivity in East Africa.