Ranking of African Nations With the Most Significant Data Facilities
Top African Data Centers Drive Digital Growth
Data centers across Africa are playing a crucial role in driving the digital ambitions of many countries, providing the backbone for financial services, cloud computing, mobile technologies, and healthcare systems. Here's a look at some of the top data centers in Africa, based on capacity, international partnerships, national relevance, and technological foresight.
MainOne Data Center in Nigeria
Following its acquisition by Equinix in 2021, the MainOne Data Center in Nigeria has seen significant expansion. With a capacity of 50 MW, it offers cloud services and direct access to the Mainland submarine cable. This data center serves as a major digital provider for startups and enterprises in West Africa.
Maroc Datapark in Morocco
Located in Rabat, Maroc Datapark is a strategic bridge for Moroccan and Arab African tech companies to connect with European markets. With a capacity of 40 MW, it offers low-latency connections for transcontinental data flows, cloud hosting, advanced cybersecurity, and colocation services.
South Africa's Data Centers
South Africa is home to several prominent data centers. Teraco Data Environment, the continent's international hub, is shifting towards renewable energy to align with global environmental targets. Its 200+ MW facility in Johannesburg is the largest data center in Africa, with direct interconnection to global cloud providers. Africa Data Centres Johannesburg, with a capacity of 120 MW, ensures high-speed connectivity throughout the region due to its strategic position near the WACS and SEACOM submarine cables.
Tanzania, Uganda, and Ghana
In Tanzania, the Vodacom Business Center in Dar es Salaam has a capacity of 12 MW and focuses on medium-sized businesses and startups, offering robust connectivity services and sustainable practices. Uganda's Raxio Data Center, the first Tier III-certified facility in Uganda, has a capacity of 10 MW and targets startups and medium-sized enterprises seeking cloud solutions and secure colocation. Ghana's Data Cloud DC, with a capacity of 20 MW, prioritizes climate-conscious design, using eco-friendly cooling technologies with evaporative cooling to reduce energy usage and water.
Ethiopia and Kenya
Ethiopia's Wingu Data Center, located in Addis Ababa, has a capacity of 15 MW and is the first major commercial data facility in Ethiopia. It regulates carrier-neutral services and supports the government in local data regulations. Kenya's Liquid Intelligent Technologies, with a capacity of 50 MW, connects East Africa to Asia and Europe with its terrestrial fiber cable infrastructure.
Investments in Capacity Building and Green AI-Compatible Infrastructure
Countries including Germany have pursued international cooperation and investments in recent years to develop green AI-compatible infrastructure and expand capacity in their data centers, supported by government initiatives and funding for sustainable technology projects. Morocco, Kenya, and Ghana are also investing in capacity building and developing green AI-compatible infrastructure for international collaborations and regional needs.
Meeting High Demand for Digital Services
As many African countries face high demand for digital services due to a young tech-oriented population seeking scalable, secure, and locally hosted environments, these data centers are set to play a crucial role in Africa's digital future.
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