Africa’s data centre build-out is expected to reach $255 billion in cumulative capital spending by 2050, according to PwC’s Global Data Centre Outlook 2026-50. This forecast is based on a central scenario and is a small part of the $31.6 trillion projected worldwide.
The report notes that Africa’s data centre growth is not dependent on artificial intelligence, unlike other regions. It is driven by the need for foundational digital infrastructure, making it one of the lowest-risk capital expenditure stories on the map.
South Africa has the most established data centre base, while Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana are identified as promising emerging markets. Kenya’s grid is notable for being about 95% renewable.
The central figure of $255 billion, which hides a wide spread, with scenarios ranging from $193 billion to $284 billion. The lower figure is based on tighter export controls on advanced chips, which would impact Africa’s access to equipment.
In a scenario where governments prioritize domestic demand and reduce reliance on foreign infrastructure, Africa‘s cumulative spending could rise to $284 billion. This is already a consideration in markets like Nigeria, where local cloud services are seen as a test of digital sovereignty.
According to the report, power is the binding constraint in every region, and policy determines how quickly it can be supplied. In South Africa, this is evident in the transmission build behind the data centre boom.
Jarendra Reddy, PwC South Africa’s capital projects and infrastructure leader, notes that data centres must now be planned alongside power, water, and connectivity, rather than on their own. South Africa’s total infrastructure spending includes about $71 billion of digital infrastructure by 2050.
PwC’s Global Data Centre Outlook 2026-50 projects scenarios for Africa’s data centre market, including the impact of chip export rules and government policies on data localization.
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