Africa Charts Sustainable Path for Data Infrastructure with New Code of Conduct

Africa has marked a key milestone in its digital transformation journey with the official launch of its first-ever Code of Conduct (CoC) Plan for Data Centres. Unveiled during the Pan-African Data Centre (PADC ) Event held in Johannesburg from June 23 to 24, the initiative sets a new benchmark for energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and operational consistency across the continent’s growing data infrastructure landscape.

Developed in close alignment with the long-established European Union Code of Conduct for Data Centre Energy Efficiency, the Africa CoC Plan is more than a replication effort—it is a deliberate reimagining, tailored to the continent’s unique climatic, economic, and operational realities. With guidance from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC ) and local governance by Smart Africa  in partnership with the African Data Centre Association (ADCA ), the project signals the beginning of a new chapter in Africa’s digital transformation journey.

A Response to a Growing Digital Footprint

As African economies accelerate their digitalisation efforts—driven by the adoption of cloud computing, e-governance, financial technologies, and smart city frameworks—the demand for data processing and storage infrastructure continues to rise. This expansion, while critical for development, comes with a sharp increase in energy consumption and associated environmental impacts.

The Africa CoC Plan is an intentional response to this challenge. During the launch, stakeholders highlighted the continent’s opportunity not only to grow but to lead, by embracing energy-efficient, climate-conscious data centre practices from the outset. Rather than retrofitting old systems, Africa is uniquely positioned to “leapfrog” into a future where digital growth aligns with sustainability goals. 

“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.”

– Paul-Francois Cattier, Managing Director, ADCA

From European Blueprint to African Innovation

The foundation of the Africa CoC Plan is based on a proven framework: the EU Code of Conduct for Data Centre Energy Efficiency, established in 2008 and now in its 15th revision. This voluntary framework has helped operators across Europe cut energy waste and improve performance without compromising service delivery.

In the African adaptation, international consultants Bernard Lecanu and Mark Acton—both instrumental in shaping the European model—are leading the localisation process. However, this is not a simple copy-and-paste exercise. Every element, from climate considerations to operational scale and language diversity, is being re-examined. The new framework will reflect both the realities of data centres operating in African contexts and the innovations they are capable of pioneering.

The CoC will include revised best practices, contextualised benchmarks, and a continent-specific reporting and governance model. It is expected to serve both as a policy guide and a practical tool, accessible to operators across linguistic, regulatory, and market environments.

Groundwork Through Pilot Projects

Implementation of the Africa CoC Plan is already underway. Four pilot sites—representing both Anglophone and Francophone Africa—have been confirmed for the initial testing phase. These include Digital Parks Africa, Africa Data Centres (South Africa and Kenya), PAIX Data Centres (Ghana and Kenya), and Sin Togo in Togo. The pilot programme, commencing in June-July 2025, will test the applicability of the EU CoC’s best practices within the African context, focusing on key metrics such as energy measurement, reporting, and operational governance.

Insights from these pilots will directly shape the final African Code of Conduct document. A key output will be the establishment of a region-specific governance structure, created in consultation with African stakeholders and technical experts.

Local Ownership, Regional Impact

Central to the success of the plan is the formation of a stakeholder working group comprising ten African-based companies. This group will provide the practical and strategic insight necessary to ensure the CoC’s relevance and long-term value. Their contributions will shape the technical benchmarks, data collection methodologies, and reporting protocols that underpin the framework.

Equally important is the collaborative governance arrangement. Smart Africa and ADCA will provide the regional oversight required to embed the CoC within the broader ecosystem of digital development policies. Support from the European Commission ensures that the plan benefits from global expertise while maintaining local leadership.

“As Marketing Manager, I’m proud to amplify the vision of the Africa Code of Conduct Plan. My mission is to connect, engage, and inspire our industry to embrace voluntary energy efficiency—not just for sustainability, but for economic strength and global recognition. Together, we’re turning responsible operations into green opportunities.”

-Mary Kariuki, Marketing Manager, ADCA

Toward a Sustainable Data Economy

The Africa CoC Plan is set to be formally launched in November 2025 during a dedicated event in Cape Town. By that time, the working group will have completed its initial drafting of regionally appropriate best practices, informed by pilot data and guided by international standards.

More than a policy tool, the Africa Code of Conduct is a statement of intent—a commitment to building a digital future that is not only fast and inclusive, but also sustainable and self-aware. It represents an alignment between digital ambition and environmental responsibility, industry growth and ethical governance.

In the words of the launch’s closing statement: “This is not just a plan for data centres. It’s a blueprint for a greener, smarter Africa.”