Focus Report On “Data Centres in Africa,”

Oxford Business Group, in partnership with the Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA), has launched its latest Focus Report titled “Data Centres in Africa,” offering profound insights into the pivotal role of data centres in propelling the continent’s digital transformation.

The comprehensive report delves into the intricate land­scape of Africa’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

It examines how data centres contribute to economic growth, sustainability efforts, bridging the ICT skills gap, regulatory frameworks, and the imperative of integrating environmental re­sponsibility into their operations.

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Africa’s data centre market is poised for substantial growth, with a projected 50% capacity increase by 2026. Fuelled by a burgeoning digital economy and rising internet penetration, the continent presents lucrative opportunities despite infrastruc­ture and regulatory challenges.

The report highlights Africa’s evolving data centre ecosystem, analysing infrastructure devel­opment, broadband expansion, and regulatory frameworks. It underscores the importance of bridging the ICT skills gap and integrating sustainability into data centre operations.

With a focus on environmen­tal responsibility and innovation, Africa’s data centre sector spear­heads digital transformation and sustainable economic develop­ment continent-wide.

Key findings from the re­port reveal significant capacity growth, with Africa’s data centre capacity expected to increase by 50 per cent between 2021 and 2026.Advertisement

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The distribution of data cen­tres across the continent remains uneven, with some areas lacking adequate facilities, presenting opportunities for further devel­opment.

Government initiatives play a crucial role in driving data centre capacity growth. Across the con­tinent they are actively fostering partnerships with international cloud service providers and im­plementing initiatives to transfer data to national data centres, as well as the supportive infrastruc­ture that is required as a result.

Bridging the ICT skills gap is identified as a crucial factor for broader internet adoption and increased demand for data cen­tre capacity. African start-ups and digital professionals are playing a pivotal role in providing digital skills training.

Furthermore, the report high­lights the growing focus on data sovereignty in African countries, with regulations being aligned with global standards, something with important implications for data centre growth in the coming years.

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Sustainability is also a key focus area, with efforts under­way to establish energy-efficient practices and address water con­sumption in cooling systems, given Africa’s high temperatures requiring additional cooling.

Ayotunde Coker, Chairman of ADCA, emphasises the urgent need for collaborative efforts, in­cluding special economic zones and renewable energy incentives, to unlock Africa’s digital poten­tial and accelerate its develop­ment.

“As Africa leads this transfor­mative wave, data centres emerge as the linchpin driving regional growth, powered by high-speed fibre-optic links and strategic investments. Key markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco capitalise on their com­petitive advantages to attract in­vestment and accelerate digital infrastructure development,” he highlighted.

Read Full Report; Data Centres in Africa

Karine Loehman, OBG’s Managing Director for Africa, expresses optimism regarding the report, stating, “As Africa leads the digital revolution, our latest Focus Report sheds light on the essential role of digital infrastructure in shaping the continent’s economic landscape. It underscores the critical contri­bution of data centres as primary drivers of regional growth, em­phasising the necessity for collab­orative efforts to overcome infra­structure hurdles and unleash Africa’s digital potential.”

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).