Malatsi to Join AEW 2026 as SA Data Centres Expand

Solly Malatsi, South Africa's Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, will speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as the country's data centre sector expands, with Microsoft and Amazon Web Services (AWS) together committing more than R35 billion to new computing infrastructure.

More than 58 commercial data centres are now operating in South Africa, which industry figures describe as Africa's leading data centre market. Microsoft is investing R5.4 billion by 2027 to expand its South African cloud and AI infrastructure, while AWS is carrying out a R30.4 billion multi-year commitment to build out computing capacity and connectivity.

Malatsi's appearance at AEW 2026, which runs from October 12 to 16 in Cape Town, brings government input on digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, telecommunications and data centres to a conference that is paying closer attention to the link between energy supply and technology growth.

Data centres are turning to solar power

The expansion of AI computing facilities, which require large and constant amounts of electricity, is pushing operators to look beyond the national grid. Some are turning to renewable generation and wheeling, an arrangement that allows a company to buy electricity from an independent power producer and have it delivered through the existing grid. Teraco has built a 120-megawatt solar facility in the Free State, while AWS operates a 10-megawatt solar project supporting its Cape Town operations.

South Africa is also expanding capacity for mobile and wireless networks. In July 2026, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa allocated the entire 6 GHz radio frequency band for International Mobile Telecommunications use under its National Radio Frequency Plan, opening up additional spectrum for advanced 5G services. Mobile operators, including MTN and Cell C, are separately expanding artificial intelligence-enabled infrastructure and nationwide connectivity.

The government has said it wants to expand broadband access and strengthen public digital services as part of a wider push for technological independence, while preparing the country's telecommunications and computing networks for a new generation of AI applications.

NJ Ayuk, executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber, who organises AEW, said South Africa has the opportunity to build a digital economy that supports industrial growth and creates opportunities for young people. According to Ayuk, investment in infrastructure and reliable energy will be needed to achieve that, and Malatsi's participation at AEW 2026 is expected to help drive discussion on the issue.

At AEW 2026, Malatsi will take part in sessions and networking events with investors and industry leaders on South Africa's digital transformation and the energy systems needed to support it.