Data: Africa’s New Oil? Unlocking the Continent’s Digital Potential

“Data is the new oil” is a phrase that gains significant traction in discussions about information. This comparison is frequently invoked given the strategic value of data in today’s economy.

Unlike traditional resources, data does not deplete with use. Its value is actually revealed and enriched when it is analyzed and shared. From collection to exploitation, through processing and storage, every stage of the data lifecycle contributes to value creation. According to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa’s (UNECA) 2026 Economic Report on Africa, this potential could serve as a true catalyst for economic, technological, and social transformation across the continent.

The Strategic Challenge: Where Does the Value Go?

The core issue is that the majority of African data is stored in foreign data centers. While the continent produces the resource, the bulk of the resulting value is captured elsewhere. The implications are both strategic and economic, touching on national security, information confidentiality, cyber threats, and dependence on foreign technologies.

This challenge is compounded by weak local capabilities:

• Limited Storage Infrastructure: Local data storage facilities remain scarce.
• High Processing Costs: The expense of data processing is prohibitive for many local entities.
• Data Fragmentation: Data is too dispersed to be fully exploited.
• Fragile Public Resources: In many countries, the IT systems necessary to combat cybercrime are still insufficient.

Leveraging Africa’s Energy Advantage

The report proposes an alternative approach that leverages a key asset Africa already possesses: energy.

Data centers are highly energy-intensive, yet Africa holds 60% of the world’s best solar resources. The report recommends combining these two objectives by investing simultaneously in:

1. Digital infrastructure.
2. Solar energy production.

To secure revenues and facilitate project financing, data centers could commit to purchasing the electricity produced by these solar installations.

Building the Right Framework

Implementing this vision requires a robust framework, which includes:

• Effective legislation.
• Strong institutions.
• Cooperation among states, businesses, and civil society.
• Investment in digital technologies.

However, the development of these digital assets also depends on reliable foundational infrastructure, including electricity, transportation, and communication networks.

The Stakes Are High

The challenge is significant. Without control over its own data, Africa risks replicating in the digital realm the same pattern seen in the exploitation of its natural resources: providing raw materials without mastering the value derived from them.