Botswana and Nigeria are poised to become trailblazers in Africa’s digital transformation with the development of renewable energy-powered data centres, signaling a bold convergence of sustainability and technological advancement. These initiatives reflect a growing commitment to environmentally conscious infrastructure while positioning both nations as competitive players in the global data economy.
In Botswana, a strategic partnership between AAAS Energy of the Netherlands and the U.S.-based ChillMine Corporation has laid the groundwork for a high-performance data centre campus near Palapye. This facility is designed to support artificial intelligence computing and global hyperscalers, offering scalable solutions for data-intensive operations. What sets this project apart is its energy blueprint: a 250-megawatt solar photovoltaic installation paired with a 100-megawatt battery energy storage system will serve as the backbone of its power supply. Supplementary energy will be drawn from natural gas sources, ensuring reliability and efficiency. This hybrid energy model not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances energy security, making the data centre a model for sustainable innovation in the region.
Meanwhile, Nigeria is embracing a decentralized approach to digital infrastructure with the Nugi Group’s plan to establish a Tier IV data centre in Calabar, Cross River State. This move marks a significant shift away from the traditional tech hubs of Lagos and Abuja, bringing high-level investment and connectivity to the southeastern region. The Calabar facility will harness hydroelectric power from a nearby waterfall, integrate solar energy with long-duration storage, and utilize natural gas conversion to maintain uninterrupted operations. This diverse energy mix is tailored to Nigeria’s unique geography and resource availability, offering a resilient and eco-friendly solution to the country’s growing data demands.
Together, these projects underscore a broader trend across Africa: the fusion of clean energy with digital infrastructure to meet the continent’s rising technological needs. By leveraging renewable resources, Botswana and Nigeria are not only reducing their environmental footprint but also creating robust platforms for cloud services, AI development, and data sovereignty. These centres are expected to attract international investment, foster local innovation, and expand digital access across underserved regions. As the global demand for data processing and storage continues to surge, Africa’s embrace of green-powered data centres positions it as a forward-thinking player in the digital age.