Durban mulls 400MW data centre; 63% of South Africans shop with AI
Weekly News Digest...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
Media reports allege that a 400MW data centre project proposed for Durban by a South Korean power consortium would need 25% of the city’s current power capacity. The eThekwini Municipality has since issued a statement clarifying that it has approved the exploration and feasibility work for the massive data centre, but no final decisions have been made.
In other news, Visa has found that nearly two-thirds of South African’s shop using AI; Ethiopia’s cabinet approves plans for a dedicated AI university; Kenya deploys AI to support community health workers; and Nigeria has joined a global initiative to crackdown on deepfakes. Lots more news below!
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Data centres
Durban data centre could use 25% of city power
#SouthAfrica #datacentres - eThekwini Municipality has approved a frame work to assess the feasibility of a 400MW AI data centre near Durban in partnership with the ‘Korea South Power Consortium’. The $3–$10 billion project could consume roughly 25% of the city’s electricity supply and will connect to the 45,000km 2Africa submarine cable system. The municipality clarified yesterday that it has not approved project any plans or financials. (Daily Maverick) (eThekwini Municipality statement)
Retail
Visa survey: 63% of South Africans shop with AI
#SouthAfrica #payments - A Visa Spending Shift Survey conducted with Morning Consult found 63% of South African consumers use AI tools for shopping tasks such as product research and customer service. While adoption is rising, 63% still prefer human support and 60% worry about data privacy in AI-driven payments. (iAfrica)
Education
Ethiopia’s cabinet approves launch of AI university
#Ethiopia #education - Ethiopia’s Cabinet has authorised the creation of an autonomous Artificial Intelligence University to train researchers and specialists. The Cabinet approved the institution’s regulations and authorised immediate operationalisation. (Birr Metrics)
Egypt to add AI and coding to technical schools
#Egypt #education - Egypt will introduce AI and coding courses into technical school curricula from the 2026–27 academic year. The initiative expands national education reforms following strong enrolment in secondary coding programmes and aims to strengthen the country’s digital workforce pipeline. (CairoScene)
Egypt embeds AI testing into leadership training
#Egypt #education - Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed the National Training Academy to integrate digital and AI-based testing systems into its human capital strategy. The initiative aims to strengthen institutional performance, expand leadership training and deepen international partnerships supporting Egypt’s administrative modernisation. (Ahram Online)
CoEs
Rosenberger opens AI competence centre in Tunisia
#Tunisia #CoEs Germany consultancy Rosenberger has launched a new AI Competence Centre in Tunisia to expand advanced analytics and artificial intelligence development. The facility will support solutions across telecommunications, automotive electronics and industrial technologies. (Rosenberger)
Healthcare
Kenya deploys AI to support community health workers
#Kenya #healthcare - Kenya’s Ministry of Health is partnering with Barcelona-based Causal Foundry to introduce AI tools for community health workers. The system will support health data management, clinical decision-making and primary care services, aiming to improve frontline responses where decisions often rely on delayed or incomplete information. (Eastleigh Voice)
Smart cities
Ethiopia pilots unmanned ‘smart’ police stations
#Ethiopia #digitalgov - Ethiopia has launched a pilot smart police station in Addis Ababa’s Bole district featuring digital kiosks that allow citizens to report crimes and access services without officers on site. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader effort to modernise public services through technology. (BBC)
Telecom
Algeria pushes AI governance at MWC Barcelona
#Algeria #telecom - Algeria’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki highlighted the country’s AI governance efforts during a UNDP and GSMA meeting at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The government is expanding telecom infrastructure, preparing 5G deployment and implementing a national cybersecurity strategy. (Radio Algeria)
Policy
Nigeria joins global crackdown on deepfakes
#Nigeria #dataprotection - Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission has joined more than 60 regulators in a Global Privacy Assembly initiative targeting harmful AI-generated deepfakes. Authorities warn of privacy risks from manipulated images and videos and urge stronger safeguards, transparency and compliance as Nigeria advances its national AI strategy. (BusinessDay)
ALECSO launches AI and digital justice chair
#Tunisia #law - The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) has launched a new Chair in Conflict Resolution and Digitalisation in Tunis examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal systems. The initiative will explore digital justice frameworks and policy development across the Arab world as AI technologies transform judicial processes. (ALECSO)
Competitions
Morocco expands RamadanIA hackathon programme
#Morocco #hackathons - Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform is expanding the nationwide RamadanIA Hackathon to accelerate sovereign AI innovation. The programme brings startups together to develop solutions for agriculture, water management, tourism and healthcare as part of the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy. (Morocco World News)
[ This newsletter was human shaken and AI stirred ]