Supporters of Extinction Rebellion Cape Town protest against proposed data centres in the city, outside the Civic Centre in Cape Town, on September 4, 2026. As the South African government encourages data centre development to promote "Africa's digital gateway", civil society groups have demanded a moratorium and the establishment of controls. With around 63 centres, South Africa is the most advanced data centre market on the continent, which has less than one percent of global facilities, and is keen to attract more in a sector being propelled by the AI boom. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP via Getty Images)