{"id":49910,"date":"2025-04-14T17:07:44","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T17:07:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/?p=49910"},"modified":"2025-04-15T13:13:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T13:13:11","slug":"how-shared-digital-infrastructure-can-bridge-the-gap-in-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/builder\/how-shared-digital-infrastructure-can-bridge-the-gap-in-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"How shared digital infrastructure can bridge the gap in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This <a target='_blank' rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iol.co.za\/business-report\/opinion\/how-shared-digital-infrastructure-can-bridge-the-gap-in-africa-0e0d9450-c483-4c11-83fb-52648f8ba071\">post<\/a> was originally published on <a target='_blank' rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iol.co.za\/\">this site<\/a><\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/image-prod.iol.co.za\/16x9\/800?source=https:\/\/iol-prod.appspot.com\/image\/f86c125d77f1c55f384a26a8aa7725c0b0868211\/1200&amp;operation=CROP&amp;offset=0x63&amp;resize=1200x675\" class=\"type:primaryImage\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In Uganda\u2019s Buheesi village, a school that once lacked electricity or internet now downloads digital textbooks and files reports in real time. The transformation came when a pilot programme combined rural electrification with fibre deployment, bringing both power and connectivity to the heart of the community.<\/p>\n<p>Across much of the world, digital infrastructure isn\u2019t just about streaming videos or accessing cloud storage. It\u2019s about agency, access and advancement. Africa is home to<span>&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.worldometers.info\/world-population\/africa-population\/\">18% of the world\u2019s population<\/a><span>&nbsp;<\/span>but holds less than<span>&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.datacentermap.com\/africa\/\">1% of global data centre capacity<\/a>. That\u2019s not just a stat \u2013 it\u2019s a warning.<\/p>\n<p><span>As AI, fintech and digital public services reshape the global economy, nations without compute power will be nations without control. In this new era, \u201ccompute is the new sovereignty\u201d. And shared digital infrastructure (SDI), regional collaboration across cloud, data and power, is emerging as the smartest, fastest path to closing the gap.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Closing the AI divide<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s no longer enough to be digitally connected. Without local data centres, hyperscale capabilities or sovereign cloud services, emerging economies will be forced to outsource intelligence, not just infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>The true divide will be between countries with the infrastructure to train and run AI models on their terms; and those dependent on platforms they don\u2019t control, in jurisdictions they don\u2019t influence.<\/p>\n<p>The good news? There\u2019s a path forward. And it\u2019s already being tested.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What are the benefits of shared digital infrastructure?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rather than each country shouldering the burden alone, SDI invites cooperation and collaboration. Think of it as the railway system of the AI era, built once, used by many, governed collectively.<\/p>\n<p>Forms of SDI include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><b>Regional data centres:<\/b>&nbsp;Joint investments that reduce cost and boost redundancy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><b>Digital commons models<\/b>: Community or region-governed infrastructure cooperatives.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><b>Sustainable power alliances<\/b>: Shared renewable energy grids powering cross-border facilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><b>Public-private partnerships<\/b>: Where governments de-risk investment and co-own strategic assets<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What are the energy demands of AI?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The demand for resources, such as electricity and water, is insatiable in the field of AI infrastructure. It is estimated that global data centres will consume over<span>&nbsp;<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/reports\/electricity-2024\/executive-summary\">1,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2026<\/a>, almost twice the amount in 2022. As Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia experience exponential population growth in the coming years, it will be crucial to strategize and support this growth.<\/p>\n<p>This becomes even more critical for emerging economies that are already struggling with frequent power outages \u2013 they cannot simply add hyperscalers without reevaluating their energy strategy. Fortunately, SDI provides a solution to make the energy support feasible by focusing on renewables:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Co-funded renewables like hydro (East Africa), geothermal (Indonesia and Kenya) and solar (Morocco).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Battery storage and microgrids to strengthen local resilience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Regional energy trading agreements to allocate power to priority assets.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>What should happen next?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Emerging markets don\u2019t have to start from scratch. Pilots like Uganda\u2019s Buheesi project, which combined electrification with fibre rollout, have shown the power of infrastructure integration at the local level. Teachers accessed digital resources, clinics filed reports in real time, and civic operations became more efficient. But these wins were local and vertically integrated. The next leap is horizontal, cross-border infrastructure, shared data centres, pooled compute and regional cloud platforms. SDI builds on these pilots but adds scale, sovereignty and sustainability.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"baobab-embedded-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/-45-1-45x-45-1-4500-45\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"650\" \/><figcaption>WEF logo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>1. Build the right policy environment<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Governments must lead with policies that unlock co-operation, while safeguarding data and market fairness:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><b>Harmonized data policies:&nbsp;<\/b>Regional frameworks for data governance ensure smooth cross-border data flows and minimize regulatory fragmentation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><b>Investment incentives:<\/b>&nbsp;Tax credits, concessional capital and reduced tariffs can attract private capital to SDI projects.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><b>Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) initiatives:<\/b>&nbsp;Public cloud platforms offering subsidized services to local innovators can jumpstart digital entrepreneurship.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><b>Cybersecurity and data protection:<\/b> Regional standards and pooled security investments are essential to protect sovereign data and maintain public trust.&nbsp;<br \/><\/span><span><br \/><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span><b><strong>2 Create a tactical playbook for stakeholders<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><b>Policy-makers:&nbsp;<\/b>Support regional data infrastructure projects, and streamline licensing for shared data centres and energy operators.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><b>DFIs and investors:&nbsp;<\/b>Use blended finance to de-risk investment, and back digital commons and cross-border energy-data platforms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><b>Infrastructure operators and hyperscalers:&nbsp;<\/b>Embrace neutral-host facilities and local co-ownership, and connect to regional IXPs and energy nodes.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span><b><strong>Computing power is the key to sovereignty<\/strong><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The AI revolution demands immediate action. Emerging economies can leapfrog the Global North&#8217;s tech model through shared digital infrastructure, clean energy and collaboration. In the 21st century, sovereignty is built on bandwidth and compute, not just borders. Prioritizing renewables like geothermal and hydro supports net-zero goals and digital economic growth. For many, digital infrastructure means empowerment, not just entertainment.<\/p>\n<p>The stark global data centre gap, exemplified by Africa&#8217;s low capacity \u2013 despite its population \u2013 is a warning. As AI and digital services reshape the economy, compute is key to national sovereignty. SDI offers a vital path to bridge this gap. Developing nations can bypass traditional tech development with shared, sustainable and collaborative approaches, recognising that future sovereignty hinges on digital capabilities.<\/p>\n<p><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/authors\/nii-simmonds\/\">Nii Simmonds<\/a> is a Member,&nbsp;<\/span><span>World Economic Forum Expert Network and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/authors\/obinna-isiadinso\/\">Obinna Isiadinso<\/a> is a <\/span><span>Global Data Center Sector Lead,&nbsp;<\/span><span>International Finance Corporation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>This article was published by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weforum.org\/stories\/2025\/04\/how-shared-digital-infrastructure-can-bridge-the-gap-in-africa\/\">World Economic Forum.<\/a> The views expressed in this article are those of the authors alone and not the World Economic Forum.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>BUSINESS REPORT<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Uganda\u2019s Buheesi village, a school that once lacked electricity or internet now downloads digital textbooks and files reports in real time. The transformation came when a pilot programme combined rural electrification with fibre deployment, bringing both power and connectivity to the heart of the community.Across much of the world, digital infrastructure isn\u2019t just about streaming videos or accessing cloud storage. It\u2019s about agency, access and advancement. Africa is home to\u00a018% of the world\u2019s population\u00a0but holds less than\u00a01% of global data centre capacity. That\u2019s not just a stat \u2013 it\u2019s a warning.As AI, fintech and digital public services reshape the global economy, nations without compute power will be nations without control. In this new era, \u201ccompute is the new sovereignty\u201d. And shared digital infrastructure (SDI), regional collaboration across cloud, data and power, is emerging as the smartest, fastest path to closing the gap.\u00a0Closing the AI divideIt\u2019s no longer enough to be digitally connected. Without local data centres, hyperscale capabilities or sovereign cloud services, emerging economies will be forced to outsource intelligence, not just infrastructure.The true divide will be between countries with the infrastructure to train and run AI models on their terms; and those dependent on platforms they don\u2019t control, in jurisdictions they don\u2019t influence.The good news? There\u2019s a path forward. And it\u2019s already being tested.What are the benefits of shared digital infrastructure?Rather than each country shouldering the burden alone, SDI invites cooperation and collaboration. Think of it as the railway system of the AI era, built once, used by many, governed collectively.Forms of SDI include:Regional data centres:\u00a0Joint investments that reduce cost and boost redundancy.Digital commons models: Community or region-governed infrastructure cooperatives.Sustainable power alliances: Shared renewable energy grids powering cross-border facilities.Public-private partnerships: Where governments de-risk investment and co-own strategic assetsWhat are the energy demands of AI?The demand for resources, such as electricity and water, is insatiable in the field of AI infrastructure. It is estimated that global data centres will consume over\u00a01,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) by 2026, almost twice the amount in 2022. As Africa, South Asia and Southeast Asia experience exponential population growth in the coming years, it will be crucial to strategize and support this growth.This becomes even more critical for emerging economies that are already struggling with frequent power outages \u2013 they cannot simply add hyperscalers without reevaluating their energy strategy. Fortunately, SDI provides a solution to make the energy support feasible by focusing on renewables:Co-funded renewables like hydro (East Africa), geothermal (Indonesia and Kenya) and solar (Morocco).Battery storage and microgrids to strengthen local resilience.Regional energy trading agreements to allocate power to priority assets.What should happen next?Emerging markets don\u2019t have to start from scratch. Pilots like Uganda\u2019s Buheesi project, which combined electrification with fibre rollout, have shown the power of infrastructure integration at the local level. Teachers accessed digital resources, clinics filed reports in real time, and civic operations became more efficient. But these wins were local and vertically integrated. The next leap is horizontal, cross-border infrastructure, shared data centres, pooled compute and regional cloud platforms. SDI builds on these pilots but adds scale, sovereignty and sustainability.WEF logo1. Build the right policy environmentGovernments must lead with policies that unlock co-operation, while safeguarding data and market fairness:Harmonized data policies:\u00a0Regional frameworks for data governance ensure smooth cross-border data flows and minimize regulatory fragmentation.Investment incentives:\u00a0Tax credits, concessional capital and reduced tariffs can attract private capital to SDI projects.Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) initiatives:\u00a0Public cloud platforms offering subsidized services to local innovators can jumpstart digital entrepreneurship.Cybersecurity and data protection: Regional standards and pooled security investments are essential to protect sovereign data and maintain public trust.\u00a02 Create a tactical playbook for stakeholdersPolicy-makers:\u00a0Support regional data infrastructure projects, and streamline licensing for shared data centres and energy operators.DFIs and investors:\u00a0Use blended finance to de-risk investment, and back digital commons and cross-border energy-data platforms.Infrastructure operators and hyperscalers:\u00a0Embrace neutral-host facilities and local co-ownership, and connect to regional IXPs and energy nodes.Computing power is the key to sovereigntyThe AI revolution demands immediate action. Emerging economies can leapfrog the Global North&#8217;s tech model through shared digital infrastructure, clean energy and collaboration. In the 21st century, sovereignty is built on bandwidth and compute, not just borders. Prioritizing renewables like geothermal and hydro supports net-zero goals and digital economic growth. For many, digital infrastructure means empowerment, not just entertainment.The stark global data centre gap, exemplified by Africa&#8217;s low capacity \u2013 despite its population \u2013 is a warning. As AI and digital services reshape the economy, compute is key to national sovereignty. SDI offers a vital path to bridge this gap. Developing nations can bypass traditional tech development with shared, sustainable and collaborative approaches, recognising that future sovereignty hinges on digital capabilities.Nii Simmonds is a Member,\u00a0World Economic Forum Expert Network and Obinna Isiadinso is a Global Data Center Sector Lead,\u00a0International Finance Corporation.This article was published by the World Economic Forum. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors alone and not the World Economic Forum.BUSINESS REPORT<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49912,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-builder"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49910"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49914,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49910\/revisions\/49914"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.premium-partners.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}