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Africa Urged To Build Bigger Data Centres

African countries must invest in large-scale data centre infrastructure and establish stronger regulatory frameworks to remain competitive in the global digital economy, the Chief Executive of Maroc Datacenter, Abderrahmane Mounir, has said. The CEO said leadership from the public sector, along with regional collaboration and clear industry standards, are key to expanding the continent’s limited data capacity and attracting private investment. “Data centre expansion is driven solely by end-customer demand, which starts with a country’s leadership and digital strategy,” Mounir told a panel at GITEX Africa in Morocco. “The public sector plays a significant role by rolling out services that improve citizens’ lives.” Africa accounts for less than one per cent of global data centre capacity, despite being home to nearly 20 per cent of the world’s population, according to industry estimates. Analysts say the shortfall threatens the continent’s digital future as demand rises from fintech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and digital public services. Mounir said that while mobile usage and internet adoption are rising across the continent, investments in local data infrastructure have not kept pace, partly due to the high cost of small-scale builds and regulatory uncertainty. “You build big, you deploy big, your cost goes down,” he said. “If you don’t get into that mindset, you’ll always struggle.” He cited Morocco’s data centre capacity of under 50 megawatts, compared with London’s estimated 1,200 megawatts, as an example of how far African countries need to go to match global benchmarks. To bridge the gap, Mounir called for deeper regional cooperation. “Some African countries need to collaborate to build larger, more interconnected hubs,” he said. “But regulation is crucial.” He said many countries still lack reliable data industry statistics, data protection laws, and cross-border frameworks, making it difficult to guarantee data security and build trust with international partners. GSMA, the mobile industry group, projects the number of unique mobile subscribers in Africa will rise by 4.5 per cent to 613 million by 2025, with smartphone penetration reaching 61 per cent. Maroc Datacenter is among a growing number of African firms aiming to expand domestic hosting capacity. While Mounir did not disclose new project timelines, he said the company is exploring opportunities for cross-border engagement and strategic partnerships. “As Africa moves to build a digital economy, leadership, scale, and trust will determine whether we succeed,” he said.

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Job Opportunities In AI Field

Artificial Intelligence is unlocking a wave of new career paths across industries, creating high demand for skilled professionals, JUSTICE OKAMGBA writes. The demand for AI professionals has surged in recent years and is expected to grow as AI continues transforming industries. The global AI market is projected to expand from $150 bn in 2023 to over $1.3 trn by 2030, driving increased demand for skilled workers, according to research from MarketsandMarkets. In 2023, job postings requiring AI skills rose over 200 per cent compared to 2022, with specialised fields like generative AI seeing a 450 per cent increase. Machine learning engineer PhD holder in Artificial Intelligence, Marcin Chady, described machine learning engineering as one of the most foundational roles in the field. “You basically sit in front of the computer and think long and hard about statistics and linear algebra, trying different learning models and testing them,” Chady said. Digital marketing expert Ahmad Tayyab said this role involves designing and developing machine learning models and algorithms. “It includes tasks such as data preprocessing, model training, and deployment,” he said. Data scientist The explosion of data across industries has made data science an essential part of AI development. “Data scientists use statistical methods and machine learning techniques to analyse and interpret complex data,” Tayyab said. “They help organisations make data-driven decisions.” Quora writer Adeel Ahmad also identified data science as one of the core AI jobs available. “It’s all about uncovering insights from vast datasets,” he said. AI research scientist “AI research scientists are advancing the field through experimentation and innovation,” said Tayyab. “They often work on the underlying algorithms and frameworks that power AI systems.” Ahmad noted that this role is ideal for individuals who enjoy developing cutting-edge techniques and pushing the boundaries of what AI can do. AI Engineer Combining technical implementation with software integration, the AI engineer’s job is to build functional systems. “AI engineers integrate machine learning models into real-world software and hardware solutions,” said Tayyab. “They ensure that AI capabilities are embedded in products in a scalable way.” Computer vision engineer Computer vision, which enables machines to ‘see’ and understand images and videos, is becoming increasingly important across sectors. “These engineers develop algorithms that interpret and process visual information,” said Tayyab. “From self-driving cars to medical imaging, the applications are endless.” Ahmad highlighted that engineers in this field work closely with deep learning tools to train systems that can detect, classify, and respond to visual stimuli. Natural language processing engineer Another growing area is natural language processing—enabling machines to understand and generate human language. “This includes working on tasks such as language translation, sentiment analysis, and conversational agents like chatbots,” Tayyab explained. According to Ahmad, NLP engineers focus on the human-AI language interface. “They make machines capable of understanding and communicating using human text,” he said. Robotics engineer AI’s role in robotics is giving rise to a new wave of opportunities, especially in automation and hardware integration. “Robotics engineers figure out how to apply the latest materials and electronic components to make things move and sense the environment,” said Chady. Tayyab added that these professionals build autonomous systems and design robots capable of performing complex tasks with minimal human input. AI product manager While not purely technical, the role of an AI product manager is crucial for ensuring that AI systems meet user needs. “Product managers oversee development from conception to launch,” Tayyab said. “They balance user feedback, technical limitations, and business goals.” This role is particularly important in startups and tech firms, where the line between technical and strategic work often blurs. AI ethicist With great power comes great responsibility—and that includes the ethical implications of AI systems. “As AI becomes more influential, we need professionals who ensure its fair and responsible use,” said a computer scientist, Glenn Riley. “AI ethicists work on bias detection, transparency, and privacy.” Tayyab noted that these specialists are also involved in policy and governance, helping shape the rules that guide AI development. Big data engineer Data is the lifeblood of AI, and managing it requires specialised skills. “Big data engineers process and manage large datasets that are crucial for training AI models,” said Tayyab. “They ensure the data infrastructure supports AI operations effectively.” Ahmad noted that these roles often overlap with cloud computing and storage technologies. AI consultant For organisations looking to adopt AI, consultants play a vital role in helping them navigate the transition. “AI consultants provide strategic guidance on how to implement AI tools, optimise processes, and identify areas of opportunity,” said Riley. According to Tayyab, consultants bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions, making them valuable across all industries. AI trainer and assessor Less discussed but equally important are those who train AI models and assess their performance. “AI systems require curated datasets to learn effectively,” said Riley. “Trainers prepare these datasets while assessors evaluate the models’ accuracy and fairness.” These roles are especially relevant in companies focused on improving the reliability of AI outputs, including speech recognition and image classification. Virtual and augmented reality developer AI is playing a key role in immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality. “AI-powered VR and AR are transforming industries like gaming, healthcare, and education,” said Riley. “Developers skilled in both areas are in high demand.” These professionals are responsible for creating immersive environments that respond intelligently to user interactions. Cybersecurity analyst As AI systems become more prevalent, so too do the threats against them. “Cybersecurity analysts ensure that AI systems are secure from vulnerabilities and attacks,” said Riley. “They protect sensitive models and data.” This role is gaining attention amid concerns over deepfakes, model poisoning, and data breaches. AI programmer in video games AI’s influence has also extended into the entertainment sector, particularly gaming. “It’s not really AI, but it’s about making virtual characters behave as if they’re smart,” said Chady. “It’s mostly smoke and mirrors, but the problems are fun and challenging nevertheless.” Conclusion Despite concerns that AI may displace human workers, experts believe the future lies in collaboration between humans and machines. “People worry that AI will take over,” said Lu. “But today’s AI is mostly based on statistics. It learns patterns but can’t think or create. We, as humans, are still far more complex.” Ultimately, the AI job market is expanding—not contracting—offering exciting and varied opportunities for those willing to adapt and learn. “AI may automate certain tasks,” said Riley, “but it also creates demand for jobs that require creativity, critical thinking, and ethical judgement—skills only humans can offer.”

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Platview Partners Thales On Global Cybersecurity

Platview Technologies has been appointed a platinum partner for global cybersecurity giants Thales and Imperva, in a move that reinforces its commitment to delivering top-tier application security and data protection across Africa. The ICT and cybersecurity solutions provider announced the strategic milestone in a statement on Monday, saying the partnership would enable it to further support enterprises and government institutions battling a rising wave of cyber threats. Thales, a global leader in data protection and encryption, and Imperva, a pioneer in application and data security, named Platview a Platinum Partner — their highest recognition for trusted cybersecurity providers. The designation grants Platteview Access to cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies, tools, and resources, equipping it to deliver end-to-end solutions that safeguard sensitive data and secure critical applications. Chief Executive Officer of Platview Technologies, Dapo Salami, said, “Being recognised as a Platinum Partner for both Thales and Imperva is a testament to our expertise in cybersecurity and our commitment to providing innovative solutions that help businesses mitigate risks. “This partnership enables us to empower organisations with advanced security frameworks that align with global best practices to drive cyber resilience through innovation.” Platview Technologies has consistently been at the forefront of helping businesses fortify their digital infrastructure. With a strong focus on application security, encryption, identity and access management, and threat mitigation, Platview enables enterprises to build a resilient security posture against cyberattacks. Through this partnership, organisations will benefit from best-in-class application security, advanced data encryption and protection, and comprehensive risk management. With this strategic alliance, PlatviewTechnologies is further cementing its reputation as a cybersecurity leader, committed to enabling organisations across Africa to thrive in an increasingly digital and security-conscious world.

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Telecom Innovations Driving Surge In Afrobeats Streaming

Telecom companies are playing a pivotal role in boosting Afrobeats’ global reach by enabling mobile-driven music streaming, a music curation executive at Mdundo.com in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon, Uwem Brown, has said. Brown said telecom innovations have reshaped music consumption across Africa, moving it from radio and physical CDs to mobile streaming platforms and social media. “With more than 600 million Africans online and mobile internet usage in West Africa up 35 per cent since 2020, fans can now discover new music instantly,” Brown said in a note shared with The PUNCH. He said this shift has supported the success of artists like Rema and Asake, whose tracks have amassed hundreds of millions of streams globally. According to him, telco partnerships have enabled platforms such as Mdundo to reach over 36 million monthly users as of 2024. “Telco partnerships have allowed local artists to reach millions of listeners without needing major-label backing,” Brown said. He emphasised that these collaborations are not just about increasing numbers but fundamentally changing how music is consumed across the continent. Beyond Afrobeats, Brown highlighted the global rise of other African music genres, such as Amapiano, which originated in South Africa, and the growing influence of rap in Ghana and South Africa. He noted that artists like Kabza De Small, Uncle Waffles, and Tyla are spreading Amapiano worldwide, while stars like Sarkodie, Nasty C, and Black Sherif are pushing the boundaries of African hip-hop. GSMA projects the number of unique mobile subscribers in Africa will rise by 4.5% to 613 million by 2025, as smartphone ownership grows to 61 per cent. Looking ahead, Brown believes Africa’s expanding digital infrastructure will offer even greater opportunities for artists. By 2045, as much as 80 per cent of Africa’s population could be online, transforming the music industry further. “The technology will be there to help artists bypass traditional barriers,” Brown said. “It’s an exciting time for African music, and the best is yet to come.”