Africa has taken a significant step forward in its digital transformation with the official unveiling of the continent’s first Code of Conduct (CoC) Plan for Data Centres, announced during the Pan-African Data Centre (PADC) Event in Johannesburg on June 23-24.
This pioneering initiative aims to establish standards for energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence across Africa’s rapidly expanding data infrastructure.
Drawing inspiration from the European Union’s longstanding Code of Conduct for Data Centre Energy Efficiency (established in 2008), the Africa CoC is not a mere copy but a customized framework that considers Africa’s unique climatic, economic, and operational contexts. Guided by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) and developed in partnership with Smart Africa and the African Data Centre Association (ADCA), the plan aspires to lead Africa into a sustainable digital future.
As African economies accelerate their adoption of cloud computing, e-governance, fintech, and smart city initiatives, the demand for data processing and storage infrastructure surges. This growth, however, brings challenges related to increased energy consumption and environmental impact. The Africa CoC Plan addresses these issues proactively, emphasizing the continent’s opportunity to “leapfrog” into a future where digital expansion aligns with climate-conscious practices, rather than retrofitting older, less efficient systems later.
“The Africa Code of Conduct Plan is a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainable digital growth. By empowering data centre operators and suppliers to voluntarily improve energy efficiency, we’re not only reducing emissions — we’re building a resilient, future-ready infrastructure that attracts green investment and drives inclusive development across the continent,” said Paul-Francois Cattier, Managing Director of ADCA.
The Africa CoC is rooted in the success of the EU model, which has helped European data centres significantly reduce energy waste over the past 15 years. Leading consultants Bernard Lecanu and Mark Acton, who played key roles in shaping the European framework, are spearheading its adaptation for Africa. This involves re-evaluating best practices and benchmarks to suit African climate conditions, operational scales, and linguistic diversity, ensuring relevance and practical implementation.
Implementation has already begun with four pilot sites across Anglophone and Francophone Africa — Digital Parks Africa, Africa Data Centres in South Africa and Kenya, PAIX Data Centres in Ghana and Kenya, and Sin Togo. Starting in June-July 2025, these pilots will test the applicability of the European standards in African contexts, focusing on energy measurement, operational governance, and reporting. Insights from these pilots will shape the final version of the African CoC.
A dedicated stakeholder working group comprising ten African companies will ensure the framework’s relevance and sustainability. Their expertise will inform the benchmarks, data collection methods, and reporting protocols. Oversight from Smart Africa and ADCA will embed the CoC within broader digital development strategies, while support from the European Commission provides valuable international expertise.
The formal launch of the Africa CoC is scheduled for November 2025 in Cape Town. By then, the working group aims to finalize tailored best practices, informed by pilot data and aligned with global standards. More than just a policy document, the CoC symbolizes Africa’s commitment to a “greener, smarter” digital future — balancing growth with environmental stewardship.
“This is not just a plan for data centres. It’s a blueprint for a greener, smarter Africa,” said As Mary Kariuki, ADCA’s Marketing Manager.
This initiative signals Africa’s ambition to lead in sustainable digital infrastructure, fostering economic resilience and environmental responsibility across the continent.
