South African Groups Seek Data-Centre Construction Halt

South African civil society groups are calling for a temporary halt to new data-center construction and approvals until the sector’s use of scarce water, land and electricity is independently assessed and made more transparent. The South African Human Rights Commission has received more than 250 submissions after seeking public input, citing concerns about resource demand, environmental effects and impacts on surrounding communities. South Africa hosts about 70% of Africa’s data-center capacity and is promoting expansion by companies including Amazon, Microsoft and Equinix as part of its digital-economy strategy. A proposed Equinix hyperscale facility in Cape Town has become a flashpoint because the water-stressed city narrowly avoided “Day Zero” in 2018 and the project is expected to require about 160 megawatts of electricity. Advocates say a pause would establish clearer rules rather than reject foreign investment, while data-center operators argue their water use is below global averages and is not driving electricity shortages or higher tariffs. The rights commission is still gathering submissions, so no formal moratorium or project suspension is currently in place.