RACA Journal I July 2026 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za 27
DATA CENTRE FEATURE SERIES
THE INVISIBLE SHIELD
By Eamonn Ryan
Camfil ' s air filtration critical to Africa ' s data centre boom.
In the African data centre market, an often-overlooked yet critical element is gaining increasing prominence: specialised air filtration.
As digital infrastructure expands rapidly, so too does the need for pristine internal environments that protect sensitive IT equipment and ensure operational efficiency. At the 2025 Pan-African data centre exhibition and conference, RACA Journal sat down with Bafode Dramé, sales representative for Maghreb and Francophone Africa at Camfil, a Swedish global leader in air filtration solutions, to discuss why clean air is non-negotiable for modern data centres.
" The data centre industry needs the most natural clean air. Pollution is becoming a big concern, and if data centres have problems, your entire internet or IT system can be shut down," emphasises Dramé. Camfil provides the essential solution by supplying a range of advanced filters designed to prevent dust, contamination and corrosion from compromising these sensitive environments.
Camfil ' s air filtration solutions directly contribute to the efficiency and lifespan of data centre cooling infrastructure and the IT equipment it protects. Dramé highlights a significant benefit: energy savings.“ Our filters can enable users to save a lot of energy consumption. Air filtration within HVAC systems is one of the most energy-intensive components in a building, and Camfil’ s advanced filters are designed to minimise resistance, offering the best saving solution proposal on the market to avoid big energy consumption. This directly translates to reduced operating costs for data centre owners,” he adds.
From Camfil ' s perspective, Africa presents an immense opportunity. " Big international companies are coming to Africa and establishing their data centres at the moment," Dramé notes. Camfil, with its global presence and established expertise in such industries worldwide, is well-positioned to serve this burgeoning market.
Dramé observes a widespread need for clean air solutions across the continent, from North and West Africa to South Africa.“ The trend is increasing everywhere. South Africa and Morocco are particular hotbeds of activity. Morocco is following South Africa’ s trajectory,” Dramé suggests, drawing parallels to South Africa’ s growth leading up to the 2010 Football World Cup.“ Morocco’ s upcoming 2030 World Cup is providing a similar catalyst for infrastructure development. Its proximity to Europe also adds to its strategic appeal.”
NAVIGATING INFRASTRUCTURE AND REGULATORY CHALLENGES Despite these immense opportunities, the African data centre market faces challenges. Dramé points to energy supply as the primary concern. " You have some countries where people don ' t yet have 24-hour electricity at home. So, imagine if a data centre were to experience a shutdown," he illustrates, emphasising the critical impact of power reliability.
Another growing imperative is the push for sustainability and environmental regulation. " Air pollution is a real impact," Dramé stresses, likening its importance to food and water, despite its invisibility. Fortunately, governments and organisations like the WHO are increasingly establishing mandatory norms for air quality, requiring companies to ensure both clean internal air and minimal environmental impact from their exhaust. Camfil actively collaborates with bodies like Eurovent, ensuring their solutions meet and exceed these evolving standards.
Dramé is optimistic about Africa ' s data centre future. " In the next few years, it ' s obviously going to boom. It ' s already booming, driven by construction projects in various sectors, including hospitals, pharmaceuticals and telecoms, all of which require robust data centre infrastructure.”
At its exhibition stand, Camfil showcased new and specialised products garnering significant interest. These include molecular filters designed to prevent corrosion of sensitive electronic components, as well as the CamCarb and CityFlo solutions for air handling units. It also highlighted the AirImage-COR, a real-time corrosion monitoring solution.“ These innovations underscore a commitment to delivering comprehensive, high-performance air filtration solutions tailored to the specific needs of the African data centre market,” said Dramé. RACA
Bafode Dramé, sales representative for Maghreb and Francophone Africa at Camfil.
© RACA Journal
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RACA Journal I July 2026 www. refrigerationandaircon. co. za 27