By Faith Waithaka, Cloud and Service Provider Segment Sales Lead: Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric

The African data centre market continues to grow in leaps and bounds. In fact, a recent report, co-authored by the Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA) and the Oxford Business Group, estimates that Kenya’s data centre market will increase by 50% in capacity by 2026.  

It is projections like the above that certainly underscore an exciting growth era on the continent.  However, as demand and subsequent development continue, so will the requirements for a skilled workforce.  

Winston Churchill famously said: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunsasity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”.  The above presents a fantastic opportunity for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and data centres builders to contribute to skills development and subsequent job creation in the region.

The current landscape

As children, we dreamt about becoming doctors, lawyers, firemen and hairdressers.  The point is, it was career trajectories that were known to us and sounded exciting.

Pursuing a career in data centres is not an option many are aware of.  As a practical example, at a recent mentoring session with university students specialising in engineering, I asked whether anyone had undergone practical training in a data centre.  Only one student raised their hand.   

This gap in knowledge underscores the urgent need for educational initiatives and practical exposure to data centres operation, and OEMs and data centres builders can bridge it.

The data industry as a whole must have a vested interest in developing a skilled workforce. It is a commitment that will lead to skilled local workforce that can ensure the optimal performance of equipment and the overall efficiency of data centres.

To realise the above, OEMs can start with following important steps:

• Establish internship and graduate training programmes in collaboration with local data centres can provide students with hands-on experience. By working directly with state-of-the-art equipment and real-world scenarios, interns and graduates can gain valuable insights into the operation and maintenance of data centres.
• Mentorship and education - engaging with students through mentorship programmes can spark interest in data centres careers. By visiting universities, hosting workshops, and organising field trips to data centres, industry professionals can demystify the technology and its significance.  This not only educates but also inspires the next generation to consider careers in this field.
• Partner with data centres operators to facilitate on-the-job training ensures that new graduates’ transition smoothly into the workforce. This collaboration can help equip them with the practical skills needed to manage and operate data centres efficiently..
• Community engagement - OEMs can partners with local communities by supporting educational initiatives and sponsoring events that promote data centres careers. This can help build a sustainable ecosystem where the community understands and values the importance of data centres.

Ultimately, it’s about creating a self-sustaining cycle of education, training, and employment that supports the growing data centres industry in East Africa. 

It's a mission close to my heart. It’s about more than just filling job vacancies; it’s about building the next generation of leaders and innovators who will drive the digital economy forward. As we equip young professionals with the skills they need, we also empower them to envision and create a future where technology and connectivity are at the forefront of development.