WHCL is currently owned by a private equity Fund, African Capital Alliance, Management and 10 African telecommunication operators namely: Dalkom Somalia, Djibouti Telecom SA, Lesotho Communications Authority, Moçambique Telecom, S.A, Office National Des Telecommunication du Burundi, Telkom Kenya Limited, Tel-One (Private) Limited, Uganda Telecom Limited (In Administration), and Zanzibar Telecom Public Limited Company.

 The total project cost is estimated at US$261 million, to be financed with a combination of equity, debt and internal cash generation. The proposed IFC investment is in the form of equity of up to US$30 million.

  WHCL is incorporated in Mauritius. The Project will involve the development of a pan-African data center network as well as the purchase of additional capacity on the east and west coast of Africa. 

  There are no significant governance risks related to the development impact of this project.  

This is a Category B project, according to IFC’s Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy. Based on information reviewed during the appraisal, it is expected to have limited adverse environmental and social risks and impacts that are few in number, short-term and site-specific, and can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to recognized performance standards, procedures, guidelines and design criteria as described in the following sections.

Key E&S risks and impacts associated with the project include: adequacy of WIOCC’s environmental and social management system; the Sponsor’s capacity and tools to assess and manage E&S risks and issues associated with the expected surge in construction, excavations, cable-laying and transportation activities; implementation of Data Center site construction and operation phase Environmental Management Plans, including the mitigation measures identified by the Noise Impact Assessment, in line with the IFC Performance Standard requirements; provision of fair and safe and healthy working conditions for staff and project contractors’ workers; resource efficiency, hazardous materials, wastes and wastewater management; possible marine habitat alteration; impacts on cultural heritage areas and features; security management; and the company’s stakeholder engagement activities.