By Eamonn Ryan
As the African data centre market experiences unprecedented growth, particularly driven by the surge in AI applications, the demand for robust and reliable electrical infrastructure is soaring.
Herman Mare (left bottom), head of the protection and control
division, Sy Gourrah (right bottom), senior general manager of smart
technologies, with two employees manning their stand.
© RACA Journal
Actom, a diversified engineering solutions provider with 14 specialised divisions, is strategically positioned to meet this demand, focusing on the critical ‘grey space’ of substations and power supply. At the 2025 Pan-African Data Centre Exhibition and Conference, RACA Journal sat down with Sy Gourrah, senior general manager of smart technologies, and Herman Mare, head of the protection and control division, who are leading Actom’s data centre initiative.
While Actom has a broad portfolio, its core strength in the data centre market lies firmly in the electrical backbone. “Where we are better known in the data centre market is the grey space, which is the entire EPC of substations, we manufacture and supply all the equipment that goes into the substation,” explains Gourrah. This encompasses everything – from large transformers and Medium Voltage and Low Voltage switchgear, High Voltage equipment, distribution transformers – to protection and control systems, and essential batteries, all manufactured by Actom.
Actom identifies Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa as the primary hubs for data centre growth across the continent. To support this expansion, Actom leverages its local manufacturing capabilities. Notably, they operate a factory in Nairobi, Kenya, which manufactures specialised electrical equipment and even data racks specifically for African data centres. “We’ve got a team of close to 70 people there,” Mare highlights, underscoring their local presence and commitment.
This local manufacturing capability provides a significant advantage. “We supply all those (aforementioned) products, with the advantage that we manufacture them locally, and therefore can support them as well,” Mare emphasises. This eliminates the reliance on overseas suppliers for support, ensuring quicker response times and expert assistance on the ground.
AFRICA’S POWER CHALLENGES BENEFIT FROM INTEGRATED SOLUTIONS
A critical challenge for data centre development across Africa is the availability and stability of power. “South Africa’s biggest challenge is obviously the availability of power, but then again also when there is availability, a challenge is also the stability of the power that is coming in,” notes Mare. This necessitates a significant emphasis on robust backup systems to ensure uninterrupted data centre operations, he notes.
Gourrah adds that Actom is equipped to address this: “Because there’s a major issue with power supply in all these countries, we’re able to provide an integrated solution with backup power,” she explains. This includes comprehensive offerings such as Power Pods, diesel generator integration and solar solutions. By integrating these diverse power sources, Actom helps data centres reduce their reliance on a single grid connection, providing enhanced resilience. “If we bring in PV and a backup system with generators, then at least you’ve got three different sources of energy that are integrated,” Gourrah adds.
The evolution of AI is also a key driver, demanding substantially higher power per rack. Actom finds itself strategically positioned to meet this demand by providing the large substations, transformers and switchgear necessary to feed these power-hungry facilities. They are already supplying significant transformers and building substations for some of the continent’s major data centres.
Local manufacturing capabilities, combined with deep expertise in power infrastructure and integrated backup solutions, play a critical role in supporting the growth and resilience of Africa’s emerging digital economy.
