AWS Partners with Orange to Offer Cloud Services in Morocco and Senegal

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced a partnership with Orange to bring cloud computing services to Morocco and Senegal using its AWS Wavelength platform. This marks the first time AWS services will be available in countries without physical AWS infrastructure.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in the expansion of cloud computing services in Africa, with potential to accelerate digital transformation across various industries. Demand for secure, low-latency cloud solutions continues to grow, and this partnership is well-positioned to meet the needs of various industries and support the continent's digital transformation.

AWS Wavelength will be hosted in Orange's data centers, enabling local processing and storage of data. This initiative aims to provide customers with access to local AWS compute and storage for data residency, low latency, and security needs. The partnership is driven by the increasing demand for faster computing from sectors such as banking, telecom, and healthcare.

Jan Hofmeyr, AWS Vice President, emphasized the benefits of this partnership, stating, "Customers of all sizes and all industries in Morocco and Senegal will be able to access local AWS compute and storage for data residency, low latency, and security needs for applications." This collaboration will enable startups, enterprises, and public organizations to securely process and store data locally, leverage AWS services for digital transformation, and build low-latency applications.

Jérôme Hénique, CEO of Orange Middle East and Africa, hailed the partnership as a significant step in driving the cloud transformation of African businesses. He noted, "The announcement of AWS Wavelength Zones for North & West Africa is a major achievement in our strategy to accelerate the cloud transformation of African businesses." Orange's strong presence and expertise in Morocco and Senegal will benefit AWS customers across regulated industries and industries that require low latency for applications.

The African cloud market is expected to grow significantly, with projections indicating an 18% annual growth rate, reaching $13 billion by 2028. This growth is driven by the rising demand for secure local data hosting and faster computing capabilities.

AWS Wavelength integrates AWS compute and storage services within telecom providers' data centers at the edge of the 5G network, reducing latency and enabling customers to access AWS services with the benefit of data residency. This design is particularly beneficial for regulated industries such as telecom, finance, public sector, and healthcare, which require data to remain local.

The partnership will also support industries that depend on low-latency applications like gaming. Vijai Karthigesu, CEO and Founder of Swarmio, highlighted the impact of AWS Wavelength on the gaming industry: "AWS Wavelength will help us transform the worldwide gaming ecosystem by combining the power of AWS with our Swarmio Edge platform to provide an unmatched, low-latency experience that allows creators to connect and delights global game publishers and developers."

The new AWS Wavelength Zones in Morocco and Senegal are expected to be available later this year. This deployment will allow customers to deploy and run applications locally on AWS compute and storage located in Orange data centers, ensuring data residency and compliance with local regulations.

With this partnership, AWS and Orange aim to strengthen local digital businesses and startups by encouraging innovation and offering simplified access to cloud services and development tools. This initiative is set to play a vital role in accelerating the digital transformation of African businesses.

The collaboration between AWS and Orange to bring AWS Wavelength to Morocco and Senegal represents a significant milestone in the expansion of cloud computing services in Africa. The demand for secure, low-latency cloud solutions continues to grow, and this partnership is well-positioned to meet the needs of various industries and support the continent's digital transformation.

Key Takeaways

• AWS partners with Orange to bring cloud services to Morocco and Senegal via AWS Wavelength.
• First time AWS services available in countries without physical AWS infrastructure.
• AWS Wavelength will be hosted in Orange's data centers, enabling local data processing and storage.
• Partnership aims to meet growing demand for secure, low-latency cloud solutions in Africa.
• AWS Wavelength Zones in Morocco and Senegal expected to be available later this year.