Top 10 African Countries with the Largest Data Centers

In Summary

• South Africa’s Teraco 200+ MW facility in Johannesburg tops the African list. It is the largest in Africa with direct interconnection to the global cloud providers.
• Some countries like Morocco, Kenya, and Ghana are targeting international collaborations and regional needs by investing in capacity building and developing green AI-compatible infrastructure.
• Nigeria’s large Tier III certified centers, the Main one 50 MW, and Rack Center 60 MW serve as major digital providers for some startups and enterprises in West Africa.

Deep Dive!!

Data infrastructure drives the growth of many African countries' digital ambition with data centers now playing a central role in national digital strategies. They serve as the key infrastructure that supports financial services, cloud computing, mobile technologies, and healthcare systems.

Many African countries are facing high demand for digital services due to the high young tech-oriented population demand for scalable, secure, and locally hosted environments. This doesn't just attract investors or reduce dependency on foreign servers, but it also puts Africa on a global scale competing with other continents directly.

Here are the top 10 African Countries with the highest data centers ranked not just based on capacity but international partnerships, national relevance, and technological foresight.

10. Tanzania - Vodacom Business Data Center

Tanzania's Vodacom Business Center is located in Dar es Salaam and has a capacity of 12 MW helping the country to reach a stable digital ecosystem. Tanzania's digital economy stood out on this list for its focus on medium-sized businesses and startups. The centers offer robust connectivity services around different sectors which integrate sustainable practices contributing to reduced carbon emissions. Additionally, the Center supports national digital strategy, especially in fintech and education, improving internet reliability.

9. Ethiopia - Wingu Data Center

Ethiopia's Wingu Data Center is located in Addis Ababa and has a capacity of 15 MW. It's also the first major commercial data facility in Ethiopia. The center regulates the carrier-neutral services, and high-speed services while particularly supporting the government in local data regulations. It also serves as a key to government-led services such as health records, tax administration, and e-learning, helping to reduce reliance on international partnerships.

8. Uganda - Raxio Data Center

The Raxio Data Center is Uganda's first Tier III-certified facility, and it is located in Kampala with a capacity of 10 MW. Raxio is built solely to target startups and medium-sized enterprises seeking cloud solutions and secure colocation. The center prioritizes maintenance of international standards while reducing operational costs with its modular design and power-efficient cooling system. Raxio has significantly promoted Uganda in digital inclusion and as a regional pioneer in green IT infrastructure.

7. Ghana - Data Cloud DC

Ghana's Data Cloud DC is known for prioritizing climate-conscious design and multi-cloud architecture. With a capacity of 20 MW, it is one of the first African facilities to use eco-friendly cooling technologies with evaporative cooling to reduce energy usage and water. Since its launch, Data Cloud DC primarily regulated start-ups in Ghana with secure access to cloud platforms without depending on foreign servers. Ghana’s software, telecom, and fintech sectors are now expanding in regions with improved local hosting.

6. Nigeria - MainOne Data Center

MainOne Data Center is located in Lagos and has a capacity of 50 MW. The center has seen a surge in investment, expanding its cloud services and reinforcing its backbone with direct access to the Mainland submarine cable since its acquisition by a global player, Equinix, in 2021. For several neighboring countries, the overseas connection supports high-speed internet and stretches across the Gulf of Guinea. The infrastructure in MainOne is directed to enterprise-grade demands, providing a hybrid cloud environment, colocation, and disaster recovery.

5. Nigeria -Rack Center

Nigeria Rack Center has a capacity of 60MW and is located in Lagos. It is known for its international connectivity, uptime, and security protocols. Its recent expansion has doubled its operational size, providing new cooling and power systems that meet global performance benchmarks. Rack Center provides for different diversions like local e-commerce startups, telecoms, and financial institutions. It is the largest data center in Nigeria.

4. Kenya - Liquid Intelligent Technologies

Liquid Intelligent Technologies is located in Nairobi and has a capacity of 50 MW. Liquid Intelligent Technologies connects East Africa to Asia and Europe with its terrestrial fiber cable infrastructure and unique submarine integration. It also positions Kenya as a strong competitor in cloud-enabled business services due to its big data systems and early adoption of AI. The data center helps position local businesses like agritech platforms and financial analytics to scale globally.

3. Morocco - Maroc Datapark

Morocco's Maroc Datapark is located in Rabat and has a capacity of 40MW. Maroc Datapark is positioned strategically between Africa and Europe offering low-latency connections for transcontinental data flows. The data center offers cloud hosting, advanced cybersecurity, and colocation supporting both public digital transformation and private enterprises. Maroc Datapark's strategic position and regional relevance extend to the MENA zone serving as a bridge for Moroccan and Arab African tech companies to connect with European markets.

2. South Africa - Africa Data Centres Johannesburg

Africa Data Centres' 120 MW capacity is designed for cross-border interconnection and maximum scalability. Through its strategic position near the WACS and SEACOM submarine cables, the center ensures high-speed connectivity throughout the South African region. It supports digital infrastructure across critical sectors like insurance, health, telecoms, and banking while offering flexible colocation for hyperscalers.

1. South Africa - Teraco Data Environment

Topping the list in Africa is Teraco Data Environment with a strong capacity of 200 MW. Teraco offers direct interconnection to Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft Azure, and other global platforms through its Africa Cloud Exchange. One significant feature is its growing shift towards renewable energy as the facility moves to align with global environmental targets. Beyond its capacity or size, Teraco is a Continental international hub anchoring international investment and facilitating cross-border data services into the African tech ecosystem.