By Eamonn Ryan
The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how digital infrastructure is designed and deployed worldwide. In Africa, the conversation is not simply about building bigger facilities – it’s about building the right infrastructure in the right locations, with the flexibility to adapt as technology and demand evolve.
Marc Matthews, director of engineering and head of PMO at Open Access Data Centres (OADC). © RACA Journal
Marc Matthews, director of engineering and head of PMO at Open Access Data Centres (OADC), highlighted these insights at the seminar AI Unlocked: What ‘AI-ready’ means for 2026 decisions. He emphasised that connectivity, modularity and sustainability will define Africa’s next phase of data centre growth.
While traditional hubs like Johannesburg and Cape Town remain important, KwaZulu-Natal is emerging as a significant digital infrastructure hotspot. The province’s strategic coastal location and proximity to submarine cable landing points are attracting global investment. OADC operates a facility in Amanzimtoti, where connectivity forms a core part of the ecosystem. Matthews explains: “Large-scale computing is meaningless without connectivity. You can build massive AI facilities, but without access to global networks, those workloads cannot interact with the rest of the world.”
Edge computing is another major trend shaping the continent’s data centres. AI applications increasingly require instant responses, meaning workloads must run closer to users rather than in distant hyperscale facilities. This shift is accelerating the deployment of infrastructure near population centres and connectivity hubs, creating new opportunities for African markets. OADC’s phased strategy in Lagos, starting with a six-megawatt facility designed to scale to 24
MW, exemplifies how flexibility is key to matching market demand without over-investing.
