Africa is on track to triple its data center capacity by 2030, although it will still represent a tiny fraction of the global total. This is according to a report by the Africa Data Centres Association, prepared in conjunction with Rising Advisory.
Currently, the continent's active computing load reaches 360 megawatts, while 238 megawatts are under construction. An additional 656 megawatts are in the planning phase.
If all the planned projects are implemented, the total capacity could reach around 1.2 gigawatts. Even so, Africa's share would not exceed 0.6% of the overall infrastructure.
The study warns that growth in the United States, Europe, and Asia will offset African progress in relative terms. The global expansion of digital infrastructure keeps the continent's weight virtually unchanged.
Energy is emerging as the main obstacle to new developments, even ahead of fiber optic connectivity. Transmission losses, which reach 25 % in some cities, are forcing the search for alternative solutions.
These include long-term electricity supply contracts, microgrids, and integration with renewable energy plants. More than 40 countries have passed data protection laws, and 15 have national artificial intelligence strategies, in a push toward digital sovereignty.
Source: aps.dz