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Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Africa accelerates its digital transition: 17.5% growth expected in the data centre sector
Africa accelerates its digital transition: 17.5% growth expected in the data centre sector 93.6% of industry leaders anticipate sustained growth, according to the ADCA INSIDER SURVEY 2025 presented in Johannesburg during the Data Centres in Africa event. On the occasion of the Data Centres in Africa conference, the Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA) unveiled the 2025 results of its annual ADCA INSIDER SURVEY. Conducted with analytical support from Rising Advisory and backed by partner STELLARIX, this benchmark study gives voice to industry leaders to gather and consolidate their perceptions and expectations regarding the economic landscape, investment, innovation, ESG, and human resources shaping the future of the data centre sector across the continent. A growth trajectory driven by digital demand The development of data centres is a lever for digital sovereignty, economic attractiveness, and regional integration. It allows Africa to control its data processing while strengthening the infrastructure needed to support emerging uses such as cloud computing, AI, digital finance, and e-government services. According to the survey, 93.6% of respondents expect strong or moderate growth over the next 12 months, with an anticipated average growth of 17.5%. None of the leaders interviewed foresee a decline, highlighting strong confidence in the sector's fundamentals. Respondents believe this momentum is primarily driven by the accelerating digitisation of African economies, rather than by emerging technologies. Between digital acceleration and structural limits 'This survey highlights a growing consensus: data infrastructure has become a cornerstone of economic development, it is not peripheral to development, it is foundational. ' says Faith Waithaka, Chairwoman of ADCA. The findings confirm the rise of a strategic sector that continues to face structural challenges. 77.4% of companies plan to make significant investments within the next 12 months, with an average profitability rating of 3.3 out of 5. The business climate is seen as favourable by more than 80% of respondents, despite persistent barriers such as access to reliable energy, financing issues, and regulatory constraints. 'The sector is progressing, but with greater maturity: the priority is to build solid, collaborative, and sustainable models, rooted in Africa's operational realities,' adds Paul-François Cattier, Managing Director of ADCA. ESG: Steady progress with a growing focus on energy efficiency Industry players give an average ESG performance rating of 5.87 out of 10, reflecting progress that remains cautious. The main focus is on tangible and immediate gains, particularly in terms of energy efficiency: 74.2% of respondents cite energy efficiency as their primary ESG criterion, well ahead of the use of renewable energy (22.6%). Talent, sovereignty, regional integration: the next frontiers Skills development is emerging as a central issue: 61.3% of surveyed companies report having created their own training programs to meet specific operational needs. While the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds great promise, it is still seen as having no significant impact on the data centre sector at this stage. Finally, digital sovereignty is gradually gaining ground as a strategic priority, reflecting African stakeholders' growing will to control their infrastructures and data flows. Didier Hung Wan Luk, CEO of STELLARIX, concludes: 'The potential is considerable. What we are building today are the digital foundations of a continent connected according to its own priorities. We believe in a sovereign digital Africa, anchored in reliable technologies tailored to local realities. Our commitment to ADCA reflects our intention to actively contribute to this continental transformation.' About the Survey The ADCA INSIDER SURVEY is based on in-person interviews with senior executives across several African countries. The results were analysed by Rising Advisory, a consultancy focused on strategic analysis and advocacy for African industry associations. It covers six dimensions: business climate, growth drivers, financing, innovation, human capital, and regional integration. About ADCA The Africa Data Centres Association (ADCA) is the leading organisation representing the data centre sector on the continent. It brings together operators, service providers and key stakeholders to build a sovereign, resilient, and sustainable digital ecosystem in Africa. About STELLARIX STELLARIX is a pan-African provider of data center services, specialising in tailored colocation, cloud computing, managed connectivity, and cybersecurity solutions. Our mission is to empower Africa's digital sovereignty by delivering sustainable, decarbonized infrastructure that supports seamless digital transformation for businesses and institutions across the continent. Copyright © 2022 - All materials can be used freely, indicating the origin Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Tahawul Tech
8 hours ago
- Tahawul Tech
Bybit helped contain crypto crisis after a hefty hack
Bybit, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has been featured in a new research report by Glassnode, the leading onchain market intelligence provider trusted by top-tier financial institutions worldwide. The findings highlight Bybit's unprecedented recovery rate and how the exchange's zero-time response helped contain a potential crisis, absorbing market shock that could have sent the crypto industry into a downward spiral. The comprehensive report, titled Digital Asset Market Resilience: A Deep Dive into the Bybit-Lazarus Hack, analyses the timeline, trading activity, and critical market data from February 2025's unprecedented cyber attack—the largest crypto hack in history at a hefty $1.4 billion—while benchmarking it against major disruption events across both the digital asset and traditional financial markets. Defying historical patterns of financial crises and crypto collapses, the industry's response to the Bybit-Lazarus hack heralds a new era of digital asset market resilience. Perpetual Open Interest and Volumes Recovery The report examined the performance of three key assets traded on Bybit: BTC, ETH, and SOL. A day after the hack on February 22, ETH open interest on Bybit experienced one of its most severe contractions on record due to widespread position unwinding and forced deleveraging. However, over the following two months, open interest changes turned predominantly positive, with most values returning to long-term averages and at times exceeding normal volatility thresholds. Both BTC and SOL followed a similar pattern to ETH's after the breach. According to the report, at the time of publication, all three had been restored to pre-hack levels, with BTC and SOL achieving significant milestones in May—BTC reached a new high in futures perpetual open interest at $8.5 billion, while SOL hit $1.2 billion. 'When examining perpetual trade volumes for the Ethereum asset, we observe stability in trading activity before and after the hack event, with volumes remaining largely unchanged. Additionally, following Ethereum's outperformance in recent weeks, trade volume on Bybit has surged, reaching a new all-time high of $8.5B/day, a remarkable milestone given that Ethereum was the primary asset targeted in the hack', wrote the analysts in the report. Narrowing Spreads: Liquidity Conditions Stabilised Following the hack, Bybit's deep liquidity—long considered one of its key competitive advantages—was challenged. Its market liquidity experiencing immediate stress as bid-ask spreads widened drastically and market depth contracted sharply. The phenomenon indicated widespread participant withdrawal during the period of uncertainty. The exchange completed a record 350,000 withdrawals within 12 hours after the breach. However, both metrics have shown steady recovery since mid-April, with bid-ask spreads returning to near pre-incident levels and market depth actually surpassing pre-hack values by May, signalling restored market maker confidence and normal trading conditions. Breaking the Crisis Pattern: Why the Bybit Hack Didn't Trigger Industry Collapse Instead of cascading into industry-wide panic and systemic pressure, the hacking incident left only a temporary dent in Bybit's liquidity before the exchange bounced back to pre-hack levels. To assess Bybit's operational stability, Glassnode developed a proprietary model based on two key indicators: Internal Reshuffling Ratio and Whale Withdrawal Ratio. Both metrics showed a period of post-hack spikes before returning to normal levels. The report attributed the prevention of market spillover to Bybit's 'swift operational response, transparent communication, and strong internal controls', which enabled the exchange to protect customer funds, maintain platform integrity, and contain contagion risk. The report adds to growing analytical literature on the historic hacking incident, whose aftermath demonstrated the industry's evolving resilience by avoiding systemic collapse seen in previous crises like FTX and Terra. Bybit not only contained potential market-wide damage but saw key assets reach new trading records, proving institutional-grade practices are now embedded in digital asset markets. This incident marks a pivotal shift in crypto's capacity to absorb major disruptions, potentially transforming investor confidence and accelerating industry maturation. To find out more about the report, users may visit Glassnode Insights. Image Credit: ByBit & Glassnode
TECHx
9 hours ago
- TECHx
Archer Aviation Conducts Air Taxi Test in Abu Dhabi
Share Archer Aviation has announced the successful completion of test flights for its Midnight electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi in Abu Dhabi. The test flights were conducted at Al Bateen Executive Airport in line with the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC) strategy to advance smart aerial mobility solutions. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The flight was witnessed by senior officials from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), ADIO, the Integrated Transport Centre, Abu Dhabi Aviation, and Abu Dhabi Airports. Representatives from Archer's regional partners also attended. The test focused on evaluating the Midnight aircraft's vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) performance in UAE-specific conditions. These included high temperature, humidity, and dust exposure. The results will help validate the aircraft's readiness for commercial deployment in the region. Archer Aviation reported that the test marks a significant step in its plan to expand operations and certify its air taxi services in the UAE and other key markets. The company will continue its flight-testing programme in the region. Additional data will support certification and commercialisation efforts. Badr Al Olama, Director-General of ADIO, revealed that the flight reflects Abu Dhabi's ambition to lead in advanced urban air mobility. He added that through the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) Cluster, the emirate is enabling companies like Archer to test, certify, and scale next-generation air mobility solutions. Adam Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Archer Aviation, said the UAE test flights represent a critical milestone. He stated that operating in summer conditions provides essential data to advance certification efforts in both the UAE and the US. The flight supports Archer's Launch Edition programme with Abu Dhabi Aviation. This initiative aims to establish air taxi services in the capital. The programme is part of Archer's broader strategy to commercialise eVTOL aircraft in early adopter markets. Archer recently received regulatory design approval for the UAE's first hybrid heliport at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in Zayed Port. The company also continues to strengthen partnerships with leading regional operators. According to Archer, choosing Abu Dhabi as its first Launch Edition market highlights the emirate's leadership in urban air mobility and its commitment to innovative and sustainable transport solutions. Source: Emirates News Agency
