Africa's Data Center Market to Double by 2030

Africa is building the backbone of its digital future, and the numbers tell an exciting story.

The continent's data center market is growing at nearly 12% annually, with projections showing it will reach $6.81 billion by 2030. This infrastructure boom isn't just about technology for its own sake. It's about Africa controlling its own digital destiny.

Data centers are the engine rooms of modern life, powering everything from mobile banking to artificial intelligence. For years, African data traveled overseas for processing and storage. Now, countries across the continent are building facilities to keep that information closer to home.

Morocco, Kenya, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa are leading the charge with national digital roadmaps attracting global tech companies. Morocco recently launched its "AI Made in Morocco" initiative, creating a network of AI centers of excellence called Jazari Institutes. These investments signal serious commitment to digital sovereignty.

The growth connects directly to Africa's exploding AI market, expected to jump from $4.51 billion this year to over $16.5 billion by 2030. Cloud computing could hit $45 billion by 2031, while fintech is projected to reach $65 billion by 2030.

Challenges remain, particularly with power and connectivity. Dr. Krishnan Ranganath from Africa Data Centres notes that aging transmission lines and unstable grids limit what facilities can deliver. Many countries have power generation capacity but struggle with consistent delivery to large operations.

Regulatory differences between countries also create hurdles. Varied data localization laws and national standards force companies to adapt country by country, increasing costs and slowing regional integration.

The Ripple Effect

The infrastructure push extends far beyond technology companies. Reliable data centers enable small businesses to access cloud services, help hospitals share medical records, and allow students to learn online. Every new facility creates jobs in construction, maintenance, and technical operations.

Industry leaders see regional cooperation as the key to unlocking Africa's full potential. When power grids stabilize and regulations align across borders, the continent can operate as a unified digital market. That convergence could help Africa's overall digital economy reach $1.5 trillion by 2030.

GITEX Africa, taking place in Marrakech this April, has expanded its program to showcase data center innovation alongside fintech and sports tech. The addition reflects how central these facilities have become to the continent's technology story.

Africa is building the foundation for a digital transformation that will touch every part of daily life, one data center at a time.