When Microsoft announced a US$329 million investment to boost South Africa’s data‑centre capacity and AI training, the industry felt a palpable surge of optimism. The cash‑injection signals not only a scaling of cloud infrastructure but also a catalyst for the continent’s broader digital transformation. That momentum will converge on Johannesburg’s Sandton Convention Centre on 23‑24 June, where the Pan African DataCentre Exhibition & Conference (PADC 2026) promises to showcase the next wave of African tech growth.
The opening keynote, delivered by Siya Madyibi, head of CELA South Africa at Microsoft, will set the tone at 9.10 am on day one. Delegates will sit alongside senior executives, venture capitalists and solution providers to dissect the key drivers shaping the market—from investor appetite and site‑selection strategy to the practical challenges of building resilient, secure digital infrastructure. The event splits into two streams: a strategic track that maps the continent‑wide data‑centre roadmap, and an operational track that dives into day‑to‑day efficiency, sustainability and security.
What the Pan African DataCentre Exhibition brings to the table
| Feature | Strategic Stream | Operational Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Continental growth, policy, investment trends | Practical implementation, resilience, security |
| Key Topics | Site selection, financing, regulatory incentives | Power‑usage effectiveness, cooling, AI‑enabled maintenance |
| Speakers | Government officials, venture partners | Engineers, CTOs, sustainability experts |
| Outcome | Blueprint for scaling capacity across Africa | Actionable steps to optimise existing facilities |
The table highlights how the two tracks complement each other, ensuring attendees leave with both a high‑level vision and concrete tactics to apply in their organisations.
A recurring theme throughout the agenda is sustainability. With water scarcity and power reliability topping the list of concerns, the conference will explore renewable‑energy integration, water‑efficient cooling, and the emerging role of quantum computing in optimising resource use. Certification standards and connectivity options will also be scrutinised, underscoring the sector’s push toward globally recognised benchmarks.
The 2026 Economic Report on Data Centres in Africa, produced by the African Data Centre Association and Rising Advisory Africa, paints a stark picture: while the United States hosts roughly 45 % of the world’s data‑centre capacity, Africa accounts for less than 1 %. Yet the report notes a surge of investment, with funds earmarked to increase the continent’s capacity by about two‑thirds in the coming years. This disparity fuels the urgency for events like PADC, where stakeholders can align on closing the gap.
Artificial intelligence is no longer a buzzword; it is a core operational driver. Over US$600 million is slated for AI projects across the continent, and the conference dedicates several panels to its impact on design, cooling, chip selection and site‑selection criteria. Attendees will hear from leaders such as Edwin Thompson, CTO of PAIX Data Centres, and Eben Owen, Director of Sales at The Uptime Institute, who will unpack how AI is reshaping maintenance regimes, colocation value propositions and talent pipelines.
| AI‑Focused Panel | Discussion Point |
|---|---|
| Data centre maintenance in an AI era | Predictive analytics for uptime |
| Is AI distracting from colocation benefits? | Balancing innovation with core services |
| AI arrives before infrastructure | Risks of premature adoption |
| Training and retention | Upskilling the African workforce |
The takeaway is clear: AI offers tremendous efficiency gains, but without the supporting infrastructure, its benefits could be unevenly distributed, leaving some operators lagging behind.
For those who prefer to browse the exhibition floor without attending the full conference, a free visitor pass is available. Registrants can network with vendors showcasing the latest hardware, software and services tailored to African markets. The exhibition draws a highly qualified audience—last year’s event logged over 1 300 attendees, 89 % of whom were based in Africa—ensuring meaningful connections for both buyers and suppliers.
Exhibitors will also find a premium platform to put their solutions in front of decision‑makers. The curated audience consists of operators, developers, consultants, engineers and specifiers who have pre‑qualified themselves as actively seeking new ideas. This focused environment reduces time‑wasting interactions and maximises the potential for lasting partnerships.
Overall, the Pan African DataCentre Exhibition & Conference provides a rare convergence of strategy, technology and market insight at a pivotal moment for South Africa’s digital ecosystem. As the continent strives to lift its share of global data‑centre capacity, the event will likely shape investment decisions, policy frameworks and technical standards for years to come.
Registrants can view the latest programme and secure their spot by visiting the official conference site. Whether attending as a delegate, visitor or exhibitor, participants will be part of the dialogue that could redefine Africa’s data‑centre landscape and position the region as a future hub for cloud, AI and next‑generation computing.