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Minister Solly Malatsi Confirmed as Speaker at AEW 2026 as South Africa Accelerates Digital Infrastructure
Solly Malatsi, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, has been confirmed to participate in African Energy Week (AEW) 2026, bringing government leadership on digital infrastructure, AI, telecommunications and data centers to a forum increasingly focused on the convergence of energy and technology.
Minister Malatsi’s participation comes as South Africa undergoes a major digital infrastructure expansion. Hyperscale data centers, AI-ready computing facilities, advanced telecommunications networks and new spectrum allocations are creating significant investment opportunities across the country’s rapidly growing digital economy.
Central to this transformation is the emergence of high-density AI factories, with more than 58 commercial data centers operating across South Africa and major investments from Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Equinix strengthening the country’s position as Africa’s leading data center market.
Microsoft is expanding its South African cloud and AI infrastructure through a R5.4 billion investment by 2027. Meanwhile, AWS is continuing to implement a R30.4 billion multi-year infrastructure commitment, reinforcing the scale of capital flowing into computing capacity, connectivity and supporting energy infrastructure.
The growth of AI infrastructure is also driving new approaches to power supply, with operators increasingly exploring renewable generation and electricity wheeling to secure reliable high-load capacity. This includes Teraco’s 120 MW solar facility in the Free State and AWS’s 10 MW solar project supporting its Cape Town operations.
South Africa is simultaneously strengthening its telecommunications backbone, with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s July 2026 National Radio Frequency Plan allocating the entire 6 GHz band for IMT use, creating additional capacity for advanced 5G services while operators including MTN and Cell C expand AI-enabled infrastructure and nationwide connectivity.
These developments position digital infrastructure as an important component of South Africa’s broader investment landscape, with the country targeting expanded broadband access, stronger public digital services and greater technological sovereignty while preparing its telecommunications and computing ecosystems for the next generation of AI applications.
“South Africa has the opportunity to build a digital economy that powers industrial growth, creates opportunities for young people and strengthens the continent’s technological capabilities,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber. “Investment in infrastructure and reliable energy will be essential to realizing this potential, and the Minister’s participation at AEW 2026 will serve as a premier catalyst for discussions.”
At AEW 2026 – set for October 12–16 in Cape Town – Minister Malatsi will participate in high-level discussions and networking sessions, engaging investors and industry leaders on South Africa’s digital transformation, AI infrastructure, telecommunications development and the energy systems required to support the country’s next phase of technology-led economic growth.
To find out more and register for AEW 2026, visit www.aecweek-registration.com/2026.