Schneider Electric and NVIDIA are redefining the architecture of Africa’s AI-ready data centres, setting new benchmarks for performance, efficiency, and scalability in Nigeria and across the continent.
As artificial intelligence accelerates globally, Nigerian businesses are discovering that success hinges not just on algorithms or data sets, but on the underlying infrastructure capable of supporting high-intensity workloads. Companies investing in smarter, more resilient, and energy-efficient data centres are positioning themselves to compete in an era increasingly defined by AI.
“The future will not belong to those who build bigger facilities,” said Ajibola Akindele, country president, Schneider Electric West Africa. “It will belong to those who build smarter, more efficient, and more adaptive ones.”
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Traditionally considered a routine operational cost, power and cooling are now strategic priorities. Today, infrastructure choices directly affect AI workload performance, deployment speed, resilience, and sustainability. Global investments underscore this shift: in 2025, companies are expected to spend over $320 billion on AI infrastructure and data centers, with 60 percent allocated to new capacity.
High-performance AI workloads are driving racks beyond traditional densities. Facilities optimised for AI are now recording more than 140 kW per rack, pushing operators to adopt liquid cooling solutions that increase efficiency while reducing energy consumption.
In Nigeria, where grid stability and energy costs are ongoing challenges, precise thermal management is not only a performance requirement, it is a cost-saving strategy. By integrating advanced cooling with smart power distribution, operators can reduce reliance on diesel generators and improve uptime, supporting the country’s digital economy and sustainability goals.
Schneider Electric and NVIDIA are leading the charge. Their AI-optimised data center reference architectures support up to 142 kW per rack and employ liquid cooling to accelerate deployment timelines and cut energy use, offering a roadmap for Nigeria’s emerging AI sector.
Modular and prefabricated architectures are increasingly critical for Nigeria, where speed, scalability, and cost efficiency are paramount. Such approaches can shrink deployment timelines from 18–24 months to as little as seven months, allowing operators to quickly meet surging demand in fintech, telecommunications, manufacturing, and public services. Analysts project the global modular data center market to jump from $29.9 billion in 2024 to $79.5 billion by 2030.
Schneider Electric’s integrated solutions combine advanced thermal management, intelligent pod and rack configurations, and high-density power distribution. These systems are designed to accelerate AI adoption while improving operational efficiency and resilience.
Read also: Schneider Electric warns Nigeria’s data centres must become AI-ready
As Nigeria and Africa seek to cement their position in the AI era, experts say infrastructure will be the defining factor. Organisations that invest in scalable, sustainable, and high-performance data centers are likely to unlock faster innovation, stronger resilience, and a more competitive digital economy.
“AI is transforming the way businesses operate,” Akindele said. “For Nigeria to capture the full value of AI, we must invest in infrastructure that is modern, flexible, and resilient. At Schneider Electric, we are committed to supporting organisations to grow confidently and compete on a global stage.”
