Africa Debuts Its First Artificial Intelligence Data Centre
Africa Unveils Its First Artificial Intelligence (AI) Data Centre in Uganda
Africa has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation with the unveiling of its first AI data centre in Uganda. The facility, a joint venture between Synectics Technologies, Schneider Electric, Nvidia, Turner & Townsend, and Huawei, is expected to begin rollout by mid-next year.
The AI data centre will run on 100 megawatts of renewable energy, a symbolic move towards Africa's entry into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The three-year project, with an estimated cost of $1.2 billion (Sh157.2 billion), is seen as a watershed moment, expected to catalyse digital economies across East Africa and beyond.
The first phase of the project aims to manage and process data, support research and development, serve as an advisory hub, and host an AI Centre of Excellence. The facility will adopt a modular design that allows for expansion as technology evolves.
The creation of this AI data centre is also a response to the digital infrastructure gap in Africa, which has kept global hyperscale's from investing heavily in the continent. According to Schneider Electric East Africa Country President Ifeanyi Odoh, the lack of large-scale infrastructure has been a barrier to investment.
By embedding privacy and compliance frameworks into the new facility, Synectics and its partners aim to build not only infrastructure but also trust. Experts warn that without local capacity, the risks of data misuse and weak compliance will grow as AI adoption accelerates in healthcare, fintech, and education. The project is expected to address these risks.
Analysts project that AI could contribute up to $1.5 trillion (Sh195 trillion) to Africa's GDP by 2030. The data centre is expected to position the continent as a hub for research, innovation, and skills export. The AI data centre will also foster an ecosystem where African researchers can optimize AI-driven innovations locally.
The AI Centre of Excellence will be created under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model. The facility will be supported by multiple fiber routes, redundant transformers, and advanced automation to guarantee reliability. The new AI data centre will be powered by 100 megawatts of renewable energy.
The development of the AI data centre in Uganda is a significant step towards Africa's digital future. As the continent continues to rely heavily on Europe and North America for data hosting, this project marks a shift towards self-sufficiency and independence in the realm of digital infrastructure.
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