Africa's data centre industry urged to adopt local solutions
Africa's expanding data centre industry should prioritize locally relevant solutions, home-grown expertise, and sustainable operating models, according to industry leader Menno Parsons. He warned that imported technologies often fail to reflect African operating conditions, citing limited technical expertise and lengthy supply chains as major concerns. Parsons also questioned the adoption of international sustainability standards, arguing that they can increase carbon footprints. His remarks were made during the Pan African Data Centres Conference.
Key points
- Menno Parsons, CEO of Master Power Technologies, emphasized the need for locally relevant data centre solutions in Africa.
- Parsons warned that imported technologies often fail to reflect African operating conditions due to limited technical expertise and lengthy supply chains.
- He questioned the adoption of international sustainability standards, citing increased carbon footprints from importing components and consumables.
- Parsons stressed the importance of assessing sustainability across the entire lifecycle of a technology, with greater emphasis on African-suited solutions.
Menno Parsons, CEO of Master Power Technologies, recently emphasized the need for locally relevant data centre solutions in Africa during the Pan African Data Centres Conference. Parsons warned that imported technologies often fail to reflect African operating conditions due to limited technical expertise and lengthy supply chains.
He also questioned the adoption of international sustainability standards, citing increased carbon footprints from importing components and consumables. Parsons stressed the importance of assessing sustainability across the entire lifecycle of a technology, with greater emphasis on African-suited solutions.
Parsons' remarks highlight the growing need for data centre solutions that cater to Africa's unique operating conditions. By prioritizing local expertise and sustainable operating models, the industry can better serve the continent's expanding data centre needs while minimizing its environmental impact.
Sources
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