Centenary Technology Services Expands ICT Infrastructure with New Tier 3 Data Centre
World Business Journal talks to Peter Kahiigi, CTO at Centenary Technology Services, about the company’s ICT expertise and strategic focus, its role in developing the country’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, and the Tier 3 data centre in Masaka, scheduled to be opened soon.
What services does Centenary Technology Services (Cente-Tech) offer?
Centenary Technology Services is the technology arm of the Centenary Group, which also includes Centenary Bank Uganda, Centenary Bank Malawi, Centenary Property Services, and Centenary Foundation.
With over 150 years of combined in-house ICT technical experience, we provide a wide range of services to a diverse ecosystem that extends beyond our group subsidiaries. Our clientele includes 3,388 schools, 264 hospitals, 219 institutions, 3.5 million customers, 12,000 savings and cooperative societies (SACCOs), and 46,000 village savings and loans associations (VSLAs) throughout Uganda.
We serve both the private and public sectors at local, regional, and global levels, leveraging our expertise to tackle industry-defining challenges. Our key areas of focus include digital transformation, cybersecurity strategy formulation, marketing innovation, organisational development, and advanced analytics.
As part of our growth strategy, the Centenary Group aims to expand its operations into the insurance sector, fund management, and investment services, while also establishing more banking subsidiaries throughout the region.
Given your involvement in developing Uganda’s Digital Transformation Roadmap, what role do you currently play in its implementation phase?
Having collaborated with the Government of Uganda to develop the roadmap, we are now actively involved in implementing it across all pillars. This includes building digital infrastructure and services that reach underserved communities, as well as fostering innovations and entrepreneurship.
For example, in the area of digital skills development, we are collaborating with the MTN Foundation to improve the digital competencies of over 11,000 individuals, including market vendors and teachers. Our goal is to help market vendors leverage technology to improve outreach and sales, while empowering teachers to facilitate online education delivery.
What is the anticipated completion date for the Tier 3 data centre?
Our Tier 3 data centre in Masaka, located 130 km from the city, is progressing well and is scheduled to open soon. This facility will serve as a secure data hosting centre, supporting local and regional businesses and strengthening the digital economy.
This facility will serve as a secure data hosting centre, supporting local and regional businesses and strengthening the digital economy. It will also offer disaster recovery capabilities for entities in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Eastern Congo. The four-storey building is designed with sustainability at its core, featuring solar energy usage, water harvesting systems, efficient cooling technologies, and reduced power consumption.
