Gcore & AzInTelecom launch sovereign cloud in Azerbaijan

Gcore has partnered strategically with AzInTelecom to introduce sovereign cloud infrastructure services in Azerbaijan.

The collaboration aims to make cloud services, known as the AzInCloud platform, available to a broad range of users, including small and medium-sized businesses, startups, individual entrepreneurs, and public sector organisations throughout Azerbaijan.

Data sovereignty and regulatory compliance are central to this partnership, reflecting a global increase in demand for digital independence. Governments worldwide, including in the European Union and France, have prioritised localised data control and secure cloud architectures, a movement now mirrored by Azerbaijan's digital strategy.

Gartner projects that the global market for sovereign cloud Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) will reach USD $169 billion by 2028, up from USD $37 billion today, with a five-year compound annual growth rate of 36%. Heightened regulatory requirements for data sovereignty and a need for operational and technological autonomy are leading contributors to this growth.

As the cloud market evolves, this partnership marks Gcore's first deployment of sovereign cloud technology within Azerbaijan. It signals the company's intentions to continue expanding its operations in emerging regional markets.

Gcore, based in Luxembourg, manages a network with over 180 edge nodes across six continents and operates more than 50 cloud locations globally.

The AzInCloud platform's expanded services include real-time monitoring, diverse operating systems, a cloud marketplace, and straightforward management tools. These offerings are delivered on a pay-as-you-use basis, with services available to registered users who can access and pay via online banking.

Andre Reitenbach, CEO at Gcore, stated, "Digital sovereignty is not a luxury, but a strategic necessity. With AzInTelecom, we operate a sovereign cloud solution that gives Azerbaijan full control over its digital infrastructure – secure, transparent, and independent. This is the foundation for trust, resilience, and true digital autonomy."

Farrukh Farajullayev, Chief Commercial Officer at AzInTelecom, commented, "The main goal of the AzInCloud platform is to make modern cloud services accessible to everyone and to promote digital transformation in the business environment. We are proud to be the first company to create such a platform in Azerbaijan in partnership with Gcore, a leading European technology company."

The introduction of sovereign cloud services is designed to accelerate the digital transformation of Azerbaijan's commercial and government sectors. The platform is intended to support the country's ambitions for innovation and strengthen compliance with national data regulations.

AzInTelecom, operating under Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, provides technology solutions that are secure, flexible, and tailored to the compliance needs of local users. Its partnership with Gcore is intended to expand access and drive the digitalisation of the country's economy.