Africa is a continent of contrasts, from vast hot, dry deserts to tropical rainforests and massive peaks, and from bustling cities to remote villages in the middle of huge landlocked countries. In a similar way, its data centre industry is a perplexing mix of massively contrasting markets.
“As much as Africa is one continent, it’s not a uniform market,” says Rory Reid, head of the data centres department at Master Power Technologies (MPT), a critical power and data centre infrastructure provider operating in more than 20 countries across the continent. “There are 54 independent countries, all with their own culture and niches.”
Like other regions across the globe, Africa is set to see a surge in data centre activity in the near future, with a doubling in market value from US$2.2 billion to US$4.4 billion over the next five years to 2031, according to Mordor Intelligence. This will be underpinned by rising connectivity, an increasing number of subsea and fibre networks across the continent, the need for data sovereignty, and a young, digitally engaged population.
At the same time, Africa currently accounts for a mere 0.6% of global data centre capacity, according to trade organisation the Africa Data Centres Association.
There are an estimated 220-plus facilities, but they are located in just a few hubs in the likes of South Africa, Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria. This leaves massive room for growth and a need to find the right strategies now, yet a significant challenge in doing so in hugely varying geographies and contexts.
“To succeed in Africa, projects must be tailored to the distinct dynamics of each individual market,” says Reid. “Navigating this landscape requires managing diverse regulatory frameworks, power supplies, connectivity and financing structures per country, as well as actively supporting local workforce development where specialised skills are still emerging.”
Navigating complexity
Not only do requirements differ from country to country, but also from industry to industry and between types of provider, such as between telcos, cloud players, hyperscalers, small- and medium-sized businesses, enterprises, and the banking and finance sectors.
“For MPT and other players in the data centre market, it’s our responsibility to understand the needs of individual businesses and the unique problems that require solutions,” says Reid.
In terms of Africa’s markets themselves, power is a big conundrum. It is expensive in some countries, while relatively cheap in others, and some countries rely heavily on coal or other fossil fuels, whereas the likes of Ethiopia use a lot of hydropower.
Much energy infrastructure is old and many countries face frequent power cuts and shortages, with some relying on containerised or piped gas due to a lack of reliable utilities in certain areas.
Free and liquid cooling in data centres also face big challenges because of the likes of climate and drought conditions.
Technical know-how for maintaining and monitoring sustainable data centres can be an additional hurdle, while facilities are often in office blocks rather than on purpose-built sites, creating a complex patchwork of set-ups that can further complicate maintenance.
Robust and relevant
Reid says the next phase of data centre growth in Africa will therefore depend on much more than project announcements, requiring resilient power strategies, efficient and scalable design, practical skills development and lifecycle support relevant to the local market realities.
“People need to be cognisant of the environment they’re going into when they enter Africa, because it is very different to Europe on many levels,” says Reid. “When partnering with clients, our role is to provide strategic guidance and technical clarity, helping them shape the ideal solution tailored to their unique operational needs.”
For companies looking to navigate multiple markets in Africa, a large amount of flexibility is therefore needed in their strategies, he adds.
Reid explains that although MPT has turnkey power and data centre offerings for customers, the company has also developed a variety of facility designs to suit different locations, industries and applications.
These range from standardised shipping containers to tailored, purpose-built modules that can be plugged together to form integrated units, prefabricated steel-structure and edge data centres, and satellite gateway and cable landing stations.
“Our solutions are engineered around each customer’s specific operational demands,” says Reid. “We ensure every design is fully adapted to the local operating environment, compliant with regional safety standards, and backed by sustainable, locally available technical skillsets.”
The idea is that harnessing a range of technical offerings and expertise during phased deployments over a data centre’s lifecycle helps customers get the best out of their equipment, enabling a viable and sustainable business model.
Efficient deployment
Reid adds that MPT has become a “trusted advisor” to its clients, which often start communicating with the company early in projects to produce the best possible results.
In addition, MPT often finds workarounds while customers wait for power to fuel a new data centre in a particular area, such as seeking ways to optimise or efficiently use capacity in existing facilities or adding a smaller modular facility to them while the new one is being built.
“We work to bridge any operational gaps with immediate technical solutions until permanent infrastructure is ready,” says Reid. “Existing sites frequently play a crucial role as interim disaster recovery hubs while the new location’s power supply is fully scaled.”
The company’s long experience in the industry also counts for a lot, with a history of more than 25 years since it was founded in 1999 by CEO Menno Parsons. Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, MPT has completed over 150 data centre projects and has more than 300 dedicated professionals across the continent.
Furthermore, Reid emphasises that working with customers is about helping them get the best out of their facilities on an ongoing basis rather than just a fleeting relationship while they get up and running.
For MPT, this is provided through the likes of its in-house service Advanced Infrastructure Visual Analytics (AIVA), which provides ongoing monitoring, predictive insights and real-time alerts backed by its continuously available Network Operations Centre.
“Our engagement doesn’t end once a data centre is delivered,” says Reid. “We are dedicated to maximising its efficiency and longevity throughout its entire operational lifecycle. Through AIVA, we proactively detect potential issues before they cause disruption, ensuring that key components – from cooling units and batteries to UPS systems – reach their full performance and lifespan potential.”
A better experience
And the idea is not to just stop there, but to keep developing services and systems to further boost customer opportunities. This is reflected in MPT’s recent launch of its Customer Experience Centre, representing a ZAR50 million (US$3 million) investment at the site of its new regional headquarters in Midrand north of Johannesburg’s central business district.
The 6,000-square-metre facility is also strategically located south of Pretoria, meaning it is close to major data centre hubs. It contains test facilities, giving customers a hands-on space to engage with MPT’s technologies and showcasing its engineering capabilities, while acting as a hub for training and collaboration.
This is aimed at further developing knowledge and skillsets across African markets. “The Customer Experience Centre allows customers to engage with equipment in a safe environment, aiding deep learning of data centres and related technologies,” says Reid.
He re-emphasises that much of the success of data centres in the region is about staying close to the customer, as well as local environments, to understand needs in different locations.
Integrating AI, staying on top of data sovereignty and having in-country disaster recovery will also be essential in building local markets, says Reid. This is especially the case in light of recent cable cuts and geopolitical issues causing disruptions to shipping through traditional routes like the Suez Canal.
If this can be achieved, Reid believes there are “exciting” times ahead in the industry, citing the likes of Ethiopia, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Tanzania as current growth countries aside from the established market of South Africa.
Again, getting things right will hinge on following the right strategies in the right markets, he says. “Projects must demonstrate that they have the capability to be sustainable and successful in the specific environment they’re being deployed in,” says Reid.
