Washington is aggressively expanding its footprint in Africa's digital infrastructure with $26 billion invested in public-private partnerships to build AI-capable data centers. This push intensifies the contest for technological dominance with China, spotlighting computing power and access to renewable energy as key battlegrounds.
Notable projects include a $1 billion partnership between Microsoft and UAE's G42 to develop a geothermal-powered AI data center in Kenya, leveraging the East African Rift’s rich geothermal energy. Scheduled to launch in mid-2026, this facility marks a rare use of sustainable energy in high-demand computing environments within the region.
Cassava Technologies is also investing up to $720 million to deploy AI data centers enhanced with Nvidia GPUs, initially activating 3,000 units in South Africa. The rollout started in early 2025 with plans to reach Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco shortly after. These projects come at a time when Africa's data center capacity, currently under 1% globally, is expected to triple to 1.2 gigawatts by 2030. Meanwhile, the US controls around 45% of global capacity today.
US vs China Digital Influence in Africa
China has secured agreements with 52 African countries and committed to 20 digital infrastructure projects through 2027, relying heavily on Huawei’s fiber optic cable networks established over years. The American approach counters with cutting-edge AI-ready centers and a focus on green power sources, setting the stage for a technological rivalry shaped by sustainability and performance.
This US-led surge not only reshapes Africa’s digital landscape but could also impact regional energy markets and crypto mining, sectors that depend heavily on electricity availability and infrastructure resilience.
This article provides information and is not financial advice.
