Itana is Africa’s first Digital Special Economic Zone, supporting the continent’s push for locally based Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions. Originally launched as Talent City in 2022, Itana has fostered the growth of the Itana AI Infrastructure community and has evolved into a powerhouse enabling remote business operations across Africa, igniting conversations about sovereign tech independence. Itana AI Infrastructure community is at the heart of this development.
In July 2024, Itana launched Africa’s first full-stack AI and Data Growth Zone, introducing local GPU clusters and data storage infrastructure tailored for AI training, empowering startups and researchers to build competitive models without relying on foreign cloud services. The infrastructure serves as a backbone for the Itana AI Infrastructure community.
“Africa will not win in the AI age by consuming what the rest of the world builds,” Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, General Partner at Future Africa, a key investor in Itana notes.
Fully Self-Sufficient Tech Community
Located in Alaro City, which is inside the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos State, Nigeria, Itana provides a community style zone for Local Tech startups and foreign tech companies interested in operating in Nigeria without the hassles of moving down to the country. This strategic location benefits the Itana AI Infrastructure community greatly.
The zone prides itself as a “home for the builders of Africa’s AI future.” with a real estate project combining all the necessities for modern life for tech enthusiasts to go side by side with tax exemptions on corporate income and value-added taxes, streamlined online incorporation, and USD payroll options for remote talent.
The community runs in partnership with the Lagos state government and Federal government via the Institute on the Initiative for the Promotion of Digital Free Zones in Nigeria (DiFZIN) providing the needed backing and support to the project. This partnerships mean businesses operating in the zone are able to navigate Nigeria’s power and connectivity issues effectively providing value and ease for companies operating within the zone.
By collaborating with companies and recruiters, Itanna is able to source the needed manpower to keep businesses in the zone running.
Global Partnerships in The Offing
Itana Seeks to eventually go beyond Nigeria especially with regards to partnering global tech companies in the process driving more investments into the zone.
Yet, challenges persist. Africa’s digital economy, while booming, faces regulatory uncertainties and infrastructure deficits that have deterred investors.
Stakeholders hail the zone as a potential “Silicon Savannah.” For African innovators with it being hoped to provide the much needed template for Africa’s AI expansion, expanding the reach and influence of the Itana AI Infrastructure community.