Gabon taps Ivorian builder Hassan Dakhlallah for data center project

Key Points

• Gabon’s transitional president selects Porteo BTP to build a major national data center, marking a key step in the country’s digital transformation.
• Porteo BTP, led by Hassan Dakhlallah, brings expertise from Côte d’Ivoire’s Tier III+ Data Center, reinforcing Gabon’s push for secure, scalable data infrastructure.
• Dakhlallah’s PORTEO expands across West and Central Africa, reshaping infrastructure with projects in roads, real estate, and engineering.

Gabon’s transitional president, Brice Oligui Nguema, has selected Porteo BTP, a leading Ivorian construction firm owned by Ivorian-Lebanese businessman Hassan Dakhlallah, to spearhead the development of a major digital infrastructure project; a large-capacity national data center.

Gabon’s digital future takes shape

The project is a key part of Gabon’s digital transformation and aims to strengthen the country’s ties with Côte d’Ivoire. For President Nguema, it signals a strong start to his administration, demonstrating his commitment to driving Gabon toward a tech-driven future.

The construction will be led by Dakhlallah and his firm, which offers a comprehensive approach, from engineering to execution. The project also includes training initiatives to build local capacity. With a focus on quality, sustainability, and innovation, the center is expected to become one of Central Africa’s leading digital hubs. Work is set to begin soon, with the laying of the foundation stone marking a major milestone in the development of the National Data Center.

Data infrastructure demand drives data center push

This isn’t new ground for Dakhlallah and his company. Porteo BTP was behind the construction of Côte d’Ivoire’s Tier III+ Data Center, a critical piece of infrastructure in West Africa. Gabon’s decision to award this new contract to Porteo, alongside U.S. tech firm Cybastion, reflects a firm belief that the partnership has both the experience and expertise to deliver.

The push to build out data infrastructure comes at a time when global demand for data centers is skyrocketing, fueled by a surge in digital services, AI adoption, and 5G rollout. As computing needs soar, so does the need for powerful, secure, and scalable data storage facilities.

Hassan Dakhlallah’s PORTEO expands infrastructure reach in Africa

Dakhlallah, a seasoned infrastructure expert and urban planner, has played a key role in transforming the infrastructure landscape across West and Central Africa. He first launched NSE.CI in 2012 to meet Africa’s growing infrastructure demands. The firm rebranded as PORTEO in 2020 and expanded its vision under his leadership.

Now operating in Côte d’Ivoire, Bénin, Togo, Senegal, and Gabon, PORTEO has become a major player in the region. The group runs five core divisions, ranging from road infrastructure and building construction to real estate and engineering services. It has completed more than 3,000 kilometers of roads and continues to shape vital transport and industrial networks across the continent.

Africa’s AI push gains momentum

Gabon’s initiative aligns with similar efforts across Africa. Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, through his firm Cassava Technologies, recently announced plans to launch Africa’s first AI factory, a state-of-the-art data center powered by NVIDIA’s AI technology.

The project aims to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation by providing governments, researchers, and businesses with access to high-performance AI computing, all while keeping data within the continent.

Cassava’s first rollout is scheduled for South Africa by June 2025, with future sites planned for Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. Together, these efforts signal a new digital chapter for Africa, one built on homegrown expertise, strategic partnerships, and bold leadership.