DC Byte: land availability gives South Africa an edge in data centre race

DC Byte's analysis of EMEA data centre growth puts total regional IT capacity at 93GW, with 88% in Europe, 9% in the Middle East and just 3% in Africa. Power and land constraints in the FLAP-D hubs are pushing new projects toward markets like South Africa, which offers more available land.

• EMEA data centre capacity totals 93GW, with 24% in the FLAP-D hubs
• Africa accounts for only 3% of EMEA capacity, the Middle East 9%
• South Africa has gone 504 days without load-shedding since 16 May 2025
• Power delivery timelines of 12–24 months remain the key constraint