Fresh Water Resources for Future Data Centres

This study documents a multi-country investigation across more than ten West African nations, with the objective of identifying potential sites for next-generation data centres. The principal criterion guiding this assessment is freshwater availability, given its critical role in both cooling systems and sustainable operations for large-scale digital infrastructure. Freshwater is a strategic resource in this context. Beyond serving as a lifeline for communities, the rivers and lakes of West Africa present opportunities to support and cool tomorrow’s data centres. The urgency is underscored

by Africa’s current infrastructure gap: the continent hosts only 0.1 data centres per million internet users, compared to 2.6 in Europe and North America. Meanwhile, demand is accelerating, driven by millions of young Africans (ages 16–35) who are increasingly online and active across digital platforms.

The survey highlights several countries with significant freshwater potential:

• Nigeria: The Niger Delta, with its extensive distributaries, represents a major freshwater system. Lake Chad, a transboundary basin across four countries, also remains a valuable but underutilised resource.

• Ghana: The Volta River and a network of inland lakes position Ghana as a strong candidate for freshwater enabled data centre development.

• Cameroon: The Sanaga River, the Mungo River basin, and Lake Ossa the country’s largest natural lake illustrate the abundance and diversity of Cameroon’s water systems.

A field visit to Delta State, Nigeria, provided a particularly instructive case study. The region demonstrates both resource potential and social readiness. Key waterways include the Niger River, the Forçados and Escravos Rivers, and the River Ethiope. The area benefits from a supportive security environment and active engagement by

government stakeholders. A capacity-building workshop conducted with local youth on cybersecurity and data analysis further highlighted the region’s human capital, underscoring that Africa’s digital transformation will be driven by both natural resources and a skilled, youthful workforce. While freshwater abundance is a prerequisite, it is not sufficient on its own. The next phase of work requires detailed site-specific assessments covering water quality, infrastructure capacity, environmental sustainability, and regulatory frameworks, including water rights. These considerations will determine the feasibility and long-term viability of proposed data centre projects.

This report delivers a comprehensive evaluation of 19 West African countries, employing a multi-dimensional scoring model. The analysis integrates quantitative and qualitative data, open-source intelligence, and engineering design inputs. Each country profile is supported by detailed dossiers that assess freshwater availability, cooling feasibility, power infrastructure, and connectivity. With the rapid expansion of AI, cloud computing, and localised digital services, the establishment of sustainable, water-conscious data centres in West Africa is both an economic necessity and a strategic opportunity. The region is positioned for a digital leap forward, supported by its rivers, lakes, and most importantly, its people.

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