The European Economic Congress (EEC) 2026 has demonstrated that local content is evolving from a mere economic policy tool into a genuine direction for state transformation. At the heart of this shift lies digital sovereignty—encompassing the role of the cloud, data security, and IT infrastructure independence. A key highlight of the program was the "Local Content" session featuring Tomasz Laudy, CEO of OChK.
Local Content as a Foundation of Security
On April 9, the Ministry of State Assets (MAP) presented a long-developing concept of local content, defined as the value of goods or services provided by domestic entities. They unveiled its key components and an evaluation model based on a set of "domesticity" criteria. During the congress, MAP representatives emphasized the importance of this approach regarding ongoing and planned investments. It was noted that a higher share of Polish companies in tenders strengthens economic resilience and retains investment value within the country—a factor of particular importance in the changing geopolitical landscape.
The local content concept assumes a shift away from the "lowest price" criterion toward a multi-criteria evaluation, considering quality, security, and the impact on developing domestic competencies and supply chains. The pilot program covers strategic sectors such as energy, defense, and fuels, aiming to increase the involvement of native enterprises in key projects. The success of this initiative depends on the effectiveness of its implementation—the first stage of a broader transformation of the public procurement market.
Challenges and a Shift in Approach
The panel revealed that despite broad support for this direction, significant challenges remain. Poland remains one of the most open markets in Europe, resulting in fierce competition from global players while Polish companies face limited access to foreign markets. Speakers highlighted the need for regulatory balance and a long-term approach; local content concerns not only initial investment (CAPEX) but also multi-year maintenance and development (OPEX). In this context, agility, innovation, and greater courage in designing procurement processes and cooperating with local technology providers are essential.
Technology and Data as the "Brain" of the Economy
Tomasz Laudy pointed out that local content must now be viewed through the lens of technology and data. He emphasized that the development of the Polish economy—from energy and finance to industry—requires modern digital infrastructure that acts as the "brain" of the entire system. IT systems are responsible for the secure, controlled processing and storage of data within the country, which directly translates to the level of digital sovereignty. As operational and decision-making processes scale, the Polish cloud and local data infrastructure are becoming critical elements of national security.
OChK’s Response to the Growing Challenge of Technological Independence
Tomasz Laudy also mentioned that the rising importance of technology, fueled by the rapid growth of AI, means a surging demand for computing power—from approximately 200 MW today to as much as 1–2 GW by 2035. This indicates that the IT sector is becoming a pillar of the economy and that Poland needs to develop its own cloud infrastructure capable of "carrying" these needs.
In response, OChK is developing cloud solutions that meet the highest standards of European digital sovereignty:
- OChK Platform: A proprietary Polish public cloud created and maintained locally by OChK engineers, compliant with the Cloud Sovereignty Framework. This ensures technology and operations remain under the total control of EU entities, subject exclusively to EU law.
- Cloud for AI: A solution for building artificial intelligence projects without the risk of vendor lock-in, providing full agnosticism and freedom in choosing AI models.
- Cloud Management Platform: An application for managing multi-cloud environments and optimizing costs.
Locality and Global Cooperation
The discussion further showed that digital sovereignty does not mean technological isolation. The key is a model combining local competencies with global solutions. OChK executes this strategy by building its own infrastructure while collaborating with global hyperscalers.
Laudy cited an example from the EU market: a recent EU tender for cloud solutions selected a consortium using Google Distributed Cloud, managed and fully controlled by a local operator (the French company Thales). This example showcases OChK’s operational model: providing world-class technology while maintaining full local operational control over the environment and data.
Key Takeaways from the Panel
- Local content is a strategic systemic change that strengthens economic resilience.
- Digital sovereignty is a pillar of state security, making control over data and IT infrastructure a strategic priority.
- "Made in Poland" cloud and local data infrastructure are the foundations of a modern economy.
- Market asymmetry requires conscious support policies to help domestic firms compete with global players.
- Local content covers the entire investment lifecycle (CAPEX + OPEX), emphasizing long-term maintenance by local entities.
- Rapid AI development increases the need for technological independence and the avoidance of vendor lock-in.
- Demand for computing power is growing exponentially, requiring massive investment in IT infrastructure.
- Agility is a prerequisite for innovation, as traditional procurement models struggle to keep pace with technology.
- A shift in mindset is required to build trust in local solutions and competencies.
- The future model combines locality with global technology, utilizing local sovereign solutions (like OChK) alongside hyperscaler partnerships.
The conclusions from the EEC 2026 debate are clear: the efficient functioning of a modern economy depends on having an independent technological backbone. The solutions developed by OChK prove that building an advanced, sovereign cloud is no longer just a matter of technological ambition—it is a strategic necessity. It will determine Poland's position in the global innovation race and the state's ability to maintain full digital sovereignty in the coming decades.
