How Shared Digital Infrastructure Can Help Africa Close the AI Divide

In Uganda’s Buheesi village, a school that once struggled without electricity or internet now downloads digital textbooks and submits reports in real time. This transformation is thanks to a simple yet powerful idea: combine rural electrification with fibre rollout. The result? A fully connected and empowered local community.

This isn’t just a local success story—it’s a glimpse into what’s possible for the rest of Africa.

The Digital Infrastructure Divide

Africa is home to nearly a fifth of the global population, yet it accounts for less than 1% of global data centre capacity. This isn’t merely a statistic—it’s a wake-up call.

In a world where artificial intelligence, fintech, and digital services shape economies, countries without the capacity to process and store data locally risk falling behind. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about control. As global leaders now say: “Compute is the new sovereignty.”

Why Shared Digital Infrastructure Matters

Shared Digital Infrastructure (SDI) offers a smart, scalable solution. Instead of each country building its own expensive systems, SDI allows nations to collaborate across borders, pooling resources and benefits.

Examples of SDI in Action:

• Regional data centres to cut costs and increase resilience.

• Digital commons governed by community or regional entities.

• Sustainable power alliances like shared renewable energy grids.

• Public-private partnerships that de-risk investment and foster co-ownership.

Think of it as the railway system of the AI age—built once, used by many.

Energy Demands in the Age of AI

AI is resource-hungry. By 2026, global data centres are expected to consume more than 1,000 terawatt-hours of electricity—almost double what they used in 2022. That’s a huge challenge for emerging markets already grappling with energy shortfalls.

The solution? Shared clean energy investments:

• Hydro power in East Africa

• Geothermal in Kenya and Indonesia

• Solar in North Africa

• Battery storage and microgrids for local energy resilience

• Regional power trading agreements to keep data centres running

The Path Forward

The Buheesi pilot in Uganda shows that integrating electrification and fibre can supercharge education, healthcare, and local governance. But to truly scale, Africa needs horizontal growth—cross-border data centres, cloud platforms, and pooled compute power.

Here’s what needs to happen next:

1. Build Policy Foundations

• Harmonize regional data policies

• Offer incentives to investors

• Support Infrastructure-as-a-Service platforms

• Standardize cybersecurity and data protection

2. Create a Tactical Playbook

• Governments: Enable data infrastructure and streamline regulation

• Investors: De-risk SDI with blended finance

• Tech players: Support co-owned, neutral-host data centres and energy systems

Bandwidth Is the New Border

In today’s world, sovereignty isn’t just about flags and borders—it’s about compute power. Africa can leapfrog the traditional digital divide through shared infrastructure, clean energy, and collaborative innovation.

The AI race is on. With the right partnerships and smart policies, Africa can secure its digital future—and define it on its own terms.

{Source: IOL}

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