Africa has generally fallen behind the rest of the world in enjoying state-of-the-art digital infrastructure. However, the region’s need for a carrier-neutral data centre has become urgent in today’s fast-evolving digital economy. It would aggregate key infrastructure, reduce operational costs, improve internet performance, and make the area more crisis-resilient.
At the Southern African Telecommunications Association (SATA) conference in Sandton, members welcomed the news that financing is being secured to construct this much-needed regional data centre.
Juha Miettinen from the Digital Investment Facility (DIF) — an EU-backed initiative — explained that DIF’s mission is to promote digital growth across sub-Saharan Africa by offering technical support and making projects investment-ready. “We guide data centre initiatives from early planning to contract closure, ensuring they meet financial and sustainability benchmarks,” he said.
Miettinen emphasised that the project aims to expand Africa’s digital reach beyond technical support, connecting rural and remote communities, supporting data sovereignty, and fostering innovation. A full feasibility study is underway, examining market, regulatory, legal, and economic factors, with investor discussions planned for late 2025.
Industry leaders are optimistic. Openserve Chief Commercial Officer Makgosi Mabaso called the data centre “a timely development,” noting it would create a common aggregation point for regional operators, hyperscalers, and content providers.
“Openserve’s existing infrastructure puts us in a strong position to support the initiative,” Mabaso said, pointing to the company’s ability to provide reliable regional connectivity and seamless access to international bandwidth through multiple submarine cables.
Once operational, the SADC data centre is expected to deliver significant benefits: increased network redundancy, scalability, and market access, along with improved customer flexibility, pricing transparency, and access to local content.
In short, this project lays the foundation for transforming Southern Africa’s digital landscape — not just by housing data but by unlocking new opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and connectivity across the continent.
