Demand for data centre services in Africa is rising fast

Africa Data Centres has deployed a self-cooling rack by Gold Synergy at its CPT1 facility in Cape Town to boost performance while minimising energy consumption

The installation represents a significant advancement in the evolution of high-density computing in Africa and supports Africa Data Centres’ commitment to sustainable, efficient infrastructure solutions, the company said in a statement.

The innovative self-cooling rack, commissioned in January 2025, is designed to meet the increasing demand for high-performance computing while minimising energy consumption, said Adil El Youssefi, CEO, Africa Data Centres.

As the region experiences rising power and cooling challenges driven by artificial intelligence, big data and enterprise workloads, self-contained cooling technologies offer a smart and scalable solution, according to Adil El Youssefi, CEO. Africa Data Centres, a business of Cassava Technologies.

“Our collaboration with Gold Synergy introduces new efficiencies in high-density hosting,” said El Youssefi.

“By integrating this cutting-edge cooling solution at CPT1, we are creating a model for how data centres in Africa can scale intelligently while remaining aligned with global sustainability targets. The success of this deployment positions both Africa Data Centres and Gold Synergy to expand CDU-based cooling technologies across the region, further supporting Africa’s growing need for next-generation infrastructure.”

Gold Synergy brings a wealth of expertise in advanced cooling solutions.

The deployment at CPT1 demonstrates the viability of self-cooling racks in African conditions, setting the stage for broader collaboration in supporting regional ESG objectives, said Fortune Utubor, executive at Gold Synergy.

“Our self-cooling rack solution is a game-changing approach for high-density computing environments. This deployment reflects our shared commitment to energy efficiency and operational excellence.”

South Africa remains a strategic digital hub for the continent. With its reliable infrastructure, favourable location, and increasing demand for cloud and AI services, the country plays a pivotal role in the digital transformation of Africa.

As enterprises move mission-critical applications closer to home, infrastructure capable of supporting such workloads efficiently becomes essential.

The deployment not only increases the CPT1 facility’s hosting capacity without requiring major infrastructure modifications, but it also reinforces Africa Data Centres’ position as a leading carrier-neutral data centre provider on the continent.

The new solution helps reduce reliance on traditional cooling systems and contributes to operational cost savings for both clients and facility operators.

Eutelsat and InterSAT expand satellite partnership to boost fixed data services across Eastern and Central Africa. (Image source: InterSAT)

Eutelsat Group has renewed and expanded its collaboration with InterSAT through a new multi-year agreement for Ku-band capacity on the EUTELSAT 7C satellite

This renewed commitment enables InterSAT to strengthen its fixed data service delivery across Central and Eastern Africa. In addition to the new contract, InterSAT has extended its current agreement on the EUTELSAT 70B satellite. Both companies are also in active discussions to incorporate OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) capacity to support services in East Africa.

InterSAT Communication Services, a prominent satellite-based internet solutions provider in Africa, serves a wide range of clients including government agencies, corporate institutions, and private enterprises.

The EUTELSAT 7C satellite, stationed at 7° East, delivers robust coverage for African markets, while EUTELSAT 70B at 70.5° East offers extensive reach with four high-performance fixed beams and high on-board connectivity.

“We are delighted to deepen our relationship with our long-standing partner, InterSAT, to support their growth in Africa. This partnership highlights the ongoing relevance of our powerful geostationary in-orbit assets to deliver a cost-effective and reliable connectivity service to the remotest areas. Furthermore, we are excited to discuss the possibility of adding LEO capacity to further optimize the service offering,” said Philippe Baudrier, vice-president for Connectivity, Africa at Eutelsat OneWeb.

Hanif Kassam, CEO of InterSAT, added, “With their optimal orbital locations over Africa, EUTELSAT E7C and E70B provide InterSAT with wide coverage and efficiency across the Horizon. Additionally, our state-of-the-art Teleport investments leveraged in this solution provide growth capabilities for our diverse customers in the region. We look forward to adding One Web to our service portfolio whereby our customers across the African Continent can benefit from low-latency and reliable connectivity.”

Cassava and Zindi unite to expand GPUaaS access and foster AI development across the African continent

Cassava Technologies, a global tech firm rooted in Africa, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zindi, Africa’s largest network for data science professionals

The collaboration aims to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and provide GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) across the continent.

Through this strategic alliance, both organisations will work together on multiple initiatives. Zindi will utilise Cassava’s advanced GPUaaS infrastructure to develop AI solutions, and both parties will explore synergies by leveraging each other’s platforms and ecosystems.

Empowering African innovation

“For Africa’s AI ecosystem to grow and thrive, it is essential to provide platforms and resources for the continent’s developers and start-ups. Combining our data centres’ advanced GPU capabilities with Zindi’s innovative data science platform creates a powerful foundation for digital advancement. Cassava is proud to support local stakeholders as they develop digital solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing problems,” said Hardy Pemhiwa, president and group CEO of Cassava Technologies.

Zindi, renowned for hosting AI challenges in collaboration with companies, NGOs, and government entities, remains focused on empowering local talent and sparking innovation.

“Zindi is thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Cassava Technologies to strengthen African datasets, address local problems with locally-developed solutions, and help more African AI builders access the resources they need to succeed. Collaborating on the launch of a challenge specifically aimed at nurturing Africa’s AI talent will not only expose entrepreneurs and innovative solutions; it will help build new skills and create employment opportunities,” remarked Zindi CEO and co-founder, Celina Lee.

This MoU marks a milestone in shaping Africa’s AI future. It aligns with Cassava’s mission to deliver top-tier digital services while promoting responsible AI growth. The announcement follows its plans to establish the continent’s first AI factory and the 2024 debut of Cassava’s dedicated AI business.

Bayobab enhances East Africa’s connectivity with resilient cross-border fibre via railway infrastructure

Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group, has marked a key milestone in advancing digital infrastructure across East Africa with the official launch of the Kenya Railway–Uganda Railway NLD Mombasa to Kampala fibre route

This strategic cross-border initiative significantly enhances digital integration between Kenya and Uganda.

The newly commissioned fibre route covers 260 km along the Uganda Railway corridor from Kampala to Tororo, extending to Malaba at the Kenya–Uganda border. It links directly to Kenya’s National Long Distance (NLD) fibre, which was introduced in 2024 and runs along the Kenya Railways Meter Gauge Route from Mombasa to Malaba. The seamless interconnection at Malaba integrates into Bayobab’s subsea cable systems in Mombasa, further reinforcing East Africa’s data transport capabilities and enabling high-capacity, low-latency connectivity from Uganda to global networks.

Strengthening regional digital infrastructure

"Kenya’s position as a regional digital gateway is further cemented by this cross-border collaboration. By interconnecting with Uganda via this high-capacity route, we are enhancing regional digital resilience, creating alternative routes for traffic, and opening new opportunities for businesses and communities along the corridor. This is not just fibre in the ground — it’s a new pathway for digital transformation across East Africa," commented Sylvia Anampiu, managing director: Bayobab Kenya.

Constructed between December 2024 and February 2025, the Kampala-to-Malaba segment is securely deployed along railway infrastructure, ensuring protection from road-based risks such as construction damage and providing stable and uninterrupted network service. This initiative aligns with Bayobab’s broader strategy of enabling secure and seamless cross-border digital connectivity throughout Africa.

Delivering impact through interconnection

As a landlocked country, Uganda gains significant strategic advantage from the route, which provides a shorter and more resilient connection to Mombasa’s subsea cable landing points. The infrastructure supports both rural broadband development and high-bandwidth enterprise services, while linking key data centres across Uganda and Kenya.

Designed to meet the demands of hyperscalers, service providers, and enterprises expanding in East Africa, the route ensures reliable and scalable digital access across the region.

This project underscores Bayobab’s ongoing commitment to building a robust, secure, and interconnected digital ecosystem in Africa. The Mombasa–Malaba–Kampala corridor represents one of several initiatives designed to digitally unite the continent and connect it more effectively to the global digital economy.