Cloud technology is fundamentally changing how companies store and process data, providing cost savings and flexibility. Many individuals, like 24-year-old Kumba Njie studying cloud computing in Banjul, Gambia, aim to build careers in this field. Demand for cloud computing services in Africa is growing at an annual rate of 25-30%, significantly outpacing growth rates in Europe and North America.
This technology is driving significant changes in Africa’s fintech and telecommunications sectors. For example, fintech companies like Flutterwave leverage cloud infrastructure to reduce costs and enhance efficiency.
Gurbhej Dhillon, chief technology officer at Flutterwave metioned: “We harness the power of the cloud to drive efficiency, cut costs, and scale effortlessly across high-transaction markets like Nigeria,”
However, African businesses also face challenges due to data residency laws and other regulatory hurdles. As a result, many firms are adopting hybrid cloud strategies, utilizing global cloud services while storing sensitive data on local servers.
Establishing local data centers is crucial for Africa’s digital transformation. Companies like Africa Data Centres (ADC), operating in South Africa, assist businesses in complying with local regulations while providing low latency and high security.
In conclusion, there is substantial potential in Africa’s cloud computing market, but regulatory challenges and costs pose obstacles to realizing that potential. Investing in local infrastructure and opportunities is essential for Africa’s digital transformation.
Africa, which constitutes 18% of the global population and approximately 3% of global GDP, accounts for less than 1% of global public cloud service revenue.
