Exploring sustainability in African data centre design
02-04-2025
Data centresSustainable data centres are gradually transforming Africa's digital landscape, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Explore in this blog the path to a greener digital infrastructure.
In this blog, Shaun Versfeld, Associate Director – Mission critical facilities, deep dives into how sustainability fits into the design, engineering, and running of data centres, specifically in Africa.
In an era where digital infrastructure intersects with sustainable innovation, Africa stands ready to redefine its technical landscape. Envision a future where state-of-the-art data centres energise everything from mobile applications to national networks. As we approach this transformation, Africa's data centre construction market is not just expanding it is thriving with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.94% between 2024 and 2030, as highlighted by the Sustainable Construction Review . This marks a significant shift, with investments expected to rise from $1.26 billion in 2024 to an anticipated $3.06 billion by 2030, signalling a substantial evolution in the continent's digital infrastructure.
Leading this expansion are key markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco, each showcasing a dynamic data centre landscape replete with specific sustainability challenges and opportunities yet unified by common trends.
Despite these promising possibilities, Africa currently accounts for less than 2% of global data centre capacity, with around 307 MW in active use. However, projections indicate a need for an additional 1,200 MW by 2030 to meet rising demands, placing Africa on the verge of a major digital evolution, as detailed by the Africa Data Centres Association . Many countries are proactively embracing sustainable energy solutions, with Kenya notably sourcing 90% of its electricity from green sources.
As ambitions to enhance Africa's digital infrastructure take shape, a commitment to community-driven priorities, such as reliable electricity supply, water security, and ecological conservation remains crucial for promoting sustainable progress. The synergy between local expertise and global innovation drives the market towards energy-efficient solutions, tapping into Africa's abundant solar resources. This focus is not merely a trend but a necessity, ensuring that as the continent's data centre landscape flourishes, it does so with a steadfast commitment to sustainability.
In an era where digital infrastructure intersects with sustainable innovation, Africa stands ready to redefine its technical landscape. Envision a future where state-of-the-art data centres energise everything from mobile applications to national networks. As we approach this transformation, Africa's data centre construction market is not just expanding it is thriving with an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.94% between 2024 and 2030, as highlighted by the Sustainable Construction Review . This marks a significant shift, with investments expected to rise from $1.26 billion in 2024 to an anticipated $3.06 billion by 2030, signalling a substantial evolution in the continent's digital infrastructure.
Leading this expansion are key markets such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco, each showcasing a dynamic data centre landscape replete with specific sustainability challenges and opportunities yet unified by common trends.
Despite these promising possibilities, Africa currently accounts for less than 2% of global data centre capacity, with around 307 MW in active use. However, projections indicate a need for an additional 1,200 MW by 2030 to meet rising demands, placing Africa on the verge of a major digital evolution, as detailed by the Africa Data Centres Association . Many countries are proactively embracing sustainable energy solutions, with Kenya notably sourcing 90% of its electricity from green sources.
As ambitions to enhance Africa's digital infrastructure take shape, a commitment to community-driven priorities, such as reliable electricity supply, water security, and ecological conservation remains crucial for promoting sustainable progress. The synergy between local expertise and global innovation drives the market towards energy-efficient solutions, tapping into Africa's abundant solar resources. This focus is not merely a trend but a necessity, ensuring that as the continent's data centre landscape flourishes, it does so with a steadfast commitment to sustainability.
Africa's abundant solar, wind, and hydroelectric potential presents a unique opportunity to leapfrog traditional energy infrastructure and directly embrace renewable technologies for our data centre developments.
Across these regions, a common theme emerges: harnessing Africa's plentiful renewable resources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric energy, presents a promising path for transforming the continent's energy landscape. This shift is crucial as many nations still heavily rely on fossil fuels, which poses challenges for achieving sustainable growth. However, by overcoming infrastructural and regulatory barriers, and fostering innovation and cross-border collaboration, Africa has the potential to lead a revolution in sustainable digital infrastructure.
These developments collectively underscore Africa's evolving digital landscape, where the interplay of expansion and sustainability defines progress. As the continent transitions into a digital era, achieving a balance between development and ecological stewardship is essential for setting lasting standards for future growth.
These developments collectively underscore Africa's evolving digital landscape, where the interplay of expansion and sustainability defines progress. As the continent transitions into a digital era, achieving a balance between development and ecological stewardship is essential for setting lasting standards for future growth.
Innovative solutions for sustainability
Modular design to minimise overconsumption and ensure flexibility
Navigating Africa's sustainable digital journey necessitates innovative infrastructure solutions that balance economic viability with environmental consciousness. Enter modular data centres, a concept that transforms how we approach sustainability in the digital realm. By embracing modular designs, data centres can significantly reduce overconsumption and ensure operational flexibility. This method allows for incremental expansion, wherein components are added only as demand necessitates, thus avoiding the pitfalls of excessive resource utilisation.This approach not only supports energy efficiency and promotes eco-friendly practices but also offers the added benefit of economic practicality. As such, modular design presents a compelling strategy for aligning Africa's data centre infrastructure with the continent's sustainability aspirations, setting a standard for environmental stewardship alongside functional adaptability.
Water and cooling innovations
In the pursuit of sustainable data centre solutions in Africa, optimising water and cooling practices stands at the forefront. Water, while essential for cooling, presents both a challenge and an opportunity. By implementing closed-loop cooling systems, African data centres can drastically reduce water usage by utilising systems that require minimal replenishment, effectively mitigating the scarcity challenge and supporting sustainability efforts.Similarly, in warmer African climates, adopting advanced cooling technologies—such as liquid cooling systems—becomes vital. These technologies not only surpass traditional methods in efficiency but also align with the energy needs and environmental goals of the continent. By focusing on regionally appropriate cooling methods, data centres can significantly lower their environmental footprint, ensuring sustainable operational excellence.
Furthermore, a sustainable approach to data centre design must incorporate local expertise and cultural awareness. This means integrating traditional knowledge and community values into green design practices, ensuring that the solutions are both environmentally friendly and respectful of local traditions.
Home to 1.4 billion people, Africa's youthful, urbanising population demonstrates immense potential for digital engagement and growth.
For more insights on implementing sustainable strategies in your data centre projects, please contact us. Together, we can ensure that Africa's digital infrastructure is both innovative and environmentally responsible.
Home to 1.4 billion people, Africa's youthful, urbanising population demonstrates immense potential for digital engagement and growth.
