Pan African Data Centres and Cloud Solutions Africa hosted a webinar. This article is part three of a six-part series.

The industry aims to meet the evolving demands of the digital era while contributing to economic development and societal progress across the continent. Benzoix | Freepik.com
In a bid to explore the burgeoning role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of data centres, the Pan African Data Centres and Cloud Solutions Africa jointly organised a webinar titled ‘AI – The driving force of future data centres’. The virtual event delved into the remarkable advancements in data centre density and the pressing need for energy efficiency and sophisticated cooling solutions.
The webinar, hosted by Amy Hopkinson, conference producer of the Pan African Data Centres 2024 event, featured a distinguished panel of industry experts:
- Vanessa Moffat, EMEA Channel Partner manager at EkkoSense
- Samuel Chukwukereuba, Data Centre manager, Project Implementations at Digital Realty
- Niraj Shah, Sales and Business Development director at IX Africa
- Keith Sullivan, director of Strategic Innovation at AFL
As the discussion on AI integration in African data centres progressed, the panellists delved deeper into the intricacies of designing data centres to accommodate AI workloads while addressing challenges such as energy efficiency and cooling.
Niraj Shah shared insights from his experience with new data centre projects, emphasising the shift towards hyperscale facilities capable of handling substantial power demands. He highlighted the significance of cooling infrastructure in AI-driven environments, noting the need to manage heat dissipation effectively as workloads intensify. Shah emphasised the role of indirect cooling solutions, particularly in regions like Kenya, where ambient temperatures provide favourable conditions for data centre operations.
Shah underscored the importance of meticulous data centre design, highlighting features such as ample space and strategic containment structures to optimise cooling efficiency. He emphasised the need for data centre infrastructure to evolve in tandem with advancements in AI technology, ensuring scalability and adaptability to future demands.
The panellists also discussed the strategic significance of Africa as a burgeoning market for data centre expansion. With a projected population of 2.5 billion by 2050, Africa offers immense potential for investment and growth in the digital infrastructure sector. Shah noted the increasing interest from hyperscale providers in establishing a presence in Africa, driven by the region’s demographic trends and economic potential.
Despite the opportunities presented by Africa’s growing digital landscape, challenges persist, particularly in addressing the diverse needs of different regions within the continent. Shah highlighted the importance of strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives to navigate regulatory complexities and infrastructure limitations effectively.
In conclusion, the panellists reiterated their commitment to driving innovation and sustainability in African data centres. By leveraging AI-driven technologies and adopting best practices in energy efficiency and cooling, the industry aims to meet the evolving demands of the digital era while contributing to economic development and societal progress across the continent.