As Africa’s digital economy rapidly expands, the demand for robust and energy-efficient data centres is surging. This growth is driven by a confluence of factors, including stricter government regulations on data sovereignty, a spike in cloud computing demand among SMEs, and increased local and foreign investment. With the rise of high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI), data centres across the continent are facing escalating energy and cooling challenges.
One emerging solution poised to transform the data centre landscape in Africa is immersion cooling—a technology that promises not only to cut energy costs but also to meet the continent’s growing high-density computing needs.
What is immersion cooling?
Immersion cooling involves submerging server components in thermally conductive but electrically non-conductive liquids. These dielectric fluids absorb heat directly from IT equipment, offering a highly efficient alternative to conventional air cooling. Unlike traditional systems that rely on airflow and heat transfer via multiple steps, immersion cooling captures and removes heat at the source.
Key benefits of immersion cooling in African data centres
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Improved energy efficiency: Liquids used in immersion cooling are far more thermally conductive than air, significantly improving heat transfer and reducing overall power usage.
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Reduced cooling infrastructure: By absorbing 100% of the heat directly from server components, immersion cooling can minimise or even eliminate the need for power-intensive air cooling units.
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Lower noise levels: With minimal fan usage and quiet pumps, immersion cooling systems create a significantly quieter environment compared to traditional data centres.
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Enhanced server performance: CPUs and other components operate optimally in a temperature-stable environment, improving reliability and lifespan.
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Compact and scalable: For HPC and AI workloads, immersion cooling can support over 200kW per tank, helping centres run intensive workloads within a smaller footprint.
Growing relevance for African data centres
While still in its early stages in Africa, immersion cooling is gaining traction as energy efficiency and environmental sustainability become central to digital infrastructure development. Countries prioritising local data processing, especially for AI and cloud services, will need solutions that can manage increasing rack densities without soaring energy costs.
Liquid and immersion cooling systems are not just environmentally responsible—they are also strategic investments. As South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and other digital hubs expand their data capabilities, embracing next-generation cooling will be critical to supporting the continent’s digital transformation.
Conclusion
With soaring computing demands and rising energy costs, immersion cooling stands out as a transformative solution for Africa’s evolving data centre ecosystem. Offering superior thermal performance, environmental benefits, and scalability, this innovative technology is poised to play a key role in the future of African data infrastructure.