Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), 09 October, 2024. Sofibanque, a leading financial institution of the DRC, has adopted colocation services at the OADC Texaf – Kinshasa Tier-III Uptime Institute certified data centre.
Sofibanque has decided to significantly upgrade and transform its IT systems and therefore to improve service and customer experience, by collocating its equipment in a world-class secured environment. The OADC Texaf – Kinshasa facility, with its 2MW capacity, has set the benchmark as the cornerstone of the DRC’s emerging digital ecosystem. It is on track to achieve ISO27001 post-live certification, a first of other ISO Certifications, underscoring its commitment to the highest standards of security, operational excellence and client satisfaction. Such a facility is particularly suited for the demanding requirements of the banking sector and other corporates, which include secure, reliable, scalable and cost-effective infrastructure.
This move underscores Sofibanque’s commitment to driving digital transformation in the DRC. A colocation data centre like OADC Texaf – Kinshasa enables banks to modernise their IT operations, bring agility to expand for customer acquisition and growth. By colocating their critical IT systems in a certified facility, financial institutions such as Sofibanque can benefit from enhanced physical security, sustained uptime and compliance with international standards and national regulations, all of which are crucial for supporting the expanding digital economy.
By partnering with OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, Sofibanque strengthens its digital capabilities, reinforcing its leadership in the DRC’s banking sector. By leveraging the world-class colocation services at OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, Sofibanque will ensure superior service delivery to its growing customer base while also providing cost savings compared to maintaining in-house data storage and management systems. With all the leading carriers installed in OADC Texaf connectivity ecosystem, Sofibanque has direct access to connectivity services, achieving efficient connectivity in tandem with cost savings.
For OADC Texaf – Kinshasa, this partnership marks a significant milestone, establishing the facility as a critical hub in the financial infrastructure of Central Africa. As more banks follow Sofibanque, OADC Texaf – Kinshasa is set to become a cornerstone of the region’s digital transformation, driving financial inclusion and innovation in the region’s banking sector.
“This collective shift towards advanced infrastructure will play a critical role in the economic development of the DRC and neighbouring countries, fostering a more inclusive financial system and supporting broader socio-economic progress. We are proud to support Sofibanque in their journey towards digital transformation and look forward to welcoming other local and pan Africa banks” said Mohammed Bouhelal, Managing Director of OADC Texaf Kinshasa.
Henry Wazne, Managing Director and CEO of Sofibanque, added, “Our decision to partner with OADC Texaf Digital – Kinshasa reflects our commitment to offering the best possible service to our customers. The facility’s advanced infrastructure will enhance the availability of our services, allowing us to meet the growing demands of the market and support our long-term digital strategy. This partnership is a key step in our journey towards a more robust and agile IT environment that supports both our customers and the broader financial ecosystem in the DRC.”
About Sofibanque
Sofibanque was founded in early 2010 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The bank follows a model designed to offer its clients first-class personalised service through a comprehensive range of products and services tailored to the local environment. With its digital services and emphasis on proximity to its clients, Sofibanque aims to serve the economy and the people of the DRC. The quality of its assets, characterised by the diversity of its revenue sources and the strength of its equity, combined with high corporate governance standards, has contributed to Sofibanque’s strong financial position and stable profitability.
For more information, please visit www.sofibanque.com
About WIOCC Group
Since 2008, WIOCC Group, Africa’s converged open-access digital infrastructure (CODI) leader, has been helping transform Africa’s digital landscape by introducing client-centric innovations.
WIOCC Group is the parent company of WIOCC, Africa’s digital backbone, and Open Access Data Centres (OADC), Africa’s fastest-growing data centre company. It is pioneering and accelerating Africa’s digital transformation: creating an environment in which all Africans can take advantage of world-class technology developments to build better lives, better businesses and a better world, by deploying CODI across Africa; infrastructure that is expediting and underpinning Africa’s digital transformation.
About TEXAF – www.texaf.be
Established in 1925, TEXAF is the only listed company with all its activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Currently, these are concentrated on real estate and quarrying, although TEXAF is beginning to develop a new branch of activity in the digital field and aims to become a major player in this sector.
This listing on the stock exchange and the resulting obligations of good governance and transparency constitutes a major asset for the group’s development and for the promotion of the formal sector in the DRC.
