Grounding the cloud in Namibia

The global race for data sovereignty and AI processing power has sparked a debate that sounds like science fiction: should data centres be launched into orbit? While "orbital compute" has a futuristic appeal, the answer to the world's digital hunger may not be found in the stars, but in the sun-drenched, vast landscapes of Namibia.

As we navigate 2026, the logic of building data centres in Africa, and specifically Namibia, outweighs the logistical challenges of space-based alternatives. Here is why Namibia is the smarter bet for the digital age.

The solar goldmine: Powering the cloud

Data centres are essentially energy-to-information converters. In an era where AI workloads consume ten times more energy than standard searches, the power source is critical. Namibia boasts some of the highest solar irradiation levels on Earth, with over 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. With green hydrogen projects also projected to come online, Namibia is positioned to be a premier global data centre host.

Performance: A solar panel in Namibia generates nearly double the electricity of the same panel in Central Europe.

Scale: With projects like the 3GW solar-to-hydrogen facility near Walvis Bay in motion, the infrastructure for renewable power is a 2026 reality.

While space offers constant sunlight, the cost of capturing it involves a "launch tax" that remains astronomical.

Space vs Earth: A reality check

The narrative for space-based data centres focuses on unlimited solar and infinite cooling. However, physics and the bottom line suggest a different story.

The cooling conundrum: In space, there is no air. Heat can only be rejected via radiation, requiring massive, expensive radiators. In Namibia’s Erongo region, convection provides a cheaper solution. Whether through coastal air or liquid-to-air cooling, shedding heat on the ground is significantly more efficient.

The logistics of maintenance: If a server fails in a Namibian data centre, a technician can swap the part immediately. If it fails in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), it requires a multi-million-dollar repair mission or becomes expensive space junk.

Estimates in 2026 suggest that launching 1GW of capacity into space could cost upwards of $50 billion for cooling hardware alone. For the same price, several world-class terrestrial hubs could be built in Namibia with enough remaining capital to connect the entire SADC region.

Africa: The emerging digital sovereign

The "Space" narrative often ignores latency and sovereignty. Africa is the fastest-growing digital market, and by 2030, the continent’s data centre demand is expected to reach 2GW.

Building in Namibia provides:

Data sovereignty: Keeping African data on African soil, governed by local laws.

Connectivity: Leveraging subsea cables such as Google’s Equiano, which landed in Swakopmund, providing high-speed links to Europe and the rest of Africa.

Economic impact: A data centre in Namibia creates local jobs, supports the National Digital Strategy 2025–2029, and stabilises the national power grid.

Conclusion: Grounded in greatness

While billionaires invest in rockets, Namibia is assembling the components of a digital superpower. With its vast land, limitless renewables, and strategic coastal access, it offers the space the tech world needs without the vacuum. Namibia said it has the capabilities to be an attractive alternative to orbital data centres—an alternative that makes financial, technical, and long-term sense.

Establishing data centres in Namibia is the logical next step for a continent ready to host the world’s intelligence. Before shooting for the moon, the world should look to the Namib Desert, where the sun is bright, the land is wide, and the latency is usable.