Montenegro aims to finalize a design-and-build contract for a state data centre with Hungary’s 4iG Group by the end of 2026. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance digital infrastructure, though specifics regarding the location, capacity, and investment amount are still under consideration.
The Montenegrin government plans to consolidate data currently distributed across various public-sector servers into a centralized facility that will comply with Tier III, ISO 27001, and EN 50600 standards for availability, security, and resilience. The Public Administration Ministry has indicated that 4iG was selected as the top candidate following an evaluation process endorsed by the Hungarian government.
No formal deadline for construction completion has been established yet. Once the contract is signed, oversight of the implementation will transition to Montenegro’s Ministry of Public Works.
This project is being executed within the framework of a cooperation agreement established between Montenegro and Hungary in July 2025, which encompasses areas such as telecommunications, information technology, and law enforcement technology. The agreement officially came into effect in December 2025.
For 4iG, this data centre represents an opportunity to strengthen its existing presence in Montenegro’s telecommunications and digital infrastructure sectors. The Hungarian company has been active in the country since acquiring the former Telenor Montenegro, now known as One Crna Gora, and is expanding its involvement in governmental ICT infrastructure.
In March, Montenegro designated 4iG for negotiations related to both the state data centre and a separate law-enforcement technology initiative, which has a budget allocation of €54.25 million. The financial details concerning the data centre’s investment remain unspecified.
The development of the Tier III-certified facility is anticipated to be led by 4iG’s International Digital Infrastructure subsidiary.
While the targeted signing date for the contract is set for 2026, key commercial aspects of the project are still being finalized. The government continues to assess factors such as the location and required capacity, alongside developing a financing model and investment structure.
A feasibility study conducted with assistance from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) evaluated the necessary technical, financial, legal, and organizational requirements for establishing a centralized governmental data infrastructure. Funding is expected to come from Montenegro’s government and Finance Ministry, although total project costs will depend on various specifications and procurement methods.
The absence of a finalized budget is noteworthy since establishing a data centre entails far more than constructing server facilities. Investments typically include redundant power supplies, backup generators, cooling systems, cybersecurity measures, telecommunications connections, and systems designed to ensure operational continuity during outages.
The final capacity specifications will play a crucial role in determining both construction expenses and long-term electricity needs.
This project aligns with a larger growth strategy that 4iG is exploring in Montenegro. In its first-half 2026 report, the company noted it was investigating collaborations in areas including renewable energy, electricity networks, power purchasing agreements, and digital infrastructure development.
The requirement for reliable electricity supply around-the-clock is critical for data centres. Consequently, technology firms and large infrastructure operators are increasingly focusing on securing long-term renewable energy contracts to manage energy costs effectively. Montenegro possesses significant potential for hydroelectricity, wind energy, and solar power production and has an electricity interconnector with Italy that could enhance digital infrastructure development within its broader energy investment strategy.
The primary aim of this government initiative remains addressing existing public-sector infrastructure challenges. Currently, governmental information resides on disparate systems with varying levels of protection and resilience. Centralizing this infrastructure seeks to bolster data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and disaster resilience, while also providing a unified technological platform for electronic government services.
The Montenegrin government anticipates that the new centre will facilitate the digitalization of municipal services and mitigate redundancy across public institutions.
The anticipated contract would further solidify 4iG’s position in the Western Balkans beyond traditional telecommunications services. The group already maintains substantial operations in Montenegro and Albania, increasingly integrating digital infrastructure solutions alongside mobile and fixed telecommunications offerings.
The projects involving Montenegrin government mark a significant advancement for 4iG as they extend its influence directly into state digital infrastructure realms. This upcoming data-centre agreement would also enhance economic ties between Montenegro and Hungary as Hungarian firms are considered for various infrastructure and technology initiatives.
The imminent objective remains securing the planned contract signing before the conclusion of 2026. However, clarity on the project’s full scope will emerge only once Montenegro finalizes critical decisions regarding location, computing capacity, power requirements, financing models, and overall construction costs.
The outcomes of these determinations will influence whether this facility serves primarily as a consolidation project for government IT or evolves into a foundational element of a more comprehensive Montenegrin digital-infrastructure strategy connecting data centres, telecommunications networks, renewable energy sources, and regional connectivity initiatives.
