Data Centers in Harare
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Harare – A Developing Hub for Southern Africa
Harare is an emerging data center market positioned to serve Zimbabwe and neighboring countries in Southern Africa. For businesses targeting regional growth, Harare offers a foundational footprint with significant tax incentives, although it requires careful planning around network and power infrastructure to ensure consistent uptime and performance.
Harare: At A Glance
| Factor | Rating / Data | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Global Connectivity Grade | B | Adequate for local needs; international links are developing. |
| Direct Cloud On-Ramps | 0 – as of September 2025 | Access is via Johannesburg or through private network extensions. |
| Power Cost | ZWL 85.00-110.00/kWh | Sourcing reliable, price-stable power is a key operational factor. |
| Disaster Risk | Moderate (5/10) | Primarily driven by drought and flood risk; not seismic or storm-related. |
| Tax Incentives | Yes | DC-specific sales tax exemptions are available through June 2037. |
| Sales Tax | 15% VAT – as of September 2025 | Standard value-added tax applies to goods and services. |
Network & Connectivity Ecosystem
Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: As of September 2025, Harare has 2 data centers. The market is developing, with connectivity provided by a mix of local and regional carriers. Carrier-neutral facilities are limited, making network planning essential for redundancy.
Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no direct cloud on-ramps in Harare, as of September 2025. Businesses require private network links or transit to connect to cloud provider points of presence in Johannesburg, South Africa, to access hyperscale cloud services.
Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): The primary exchange is the Zimbabwe Internet Exchange (ZIX), which facilitates local traffic exchange between Zimbabwean ISPs. Peering at ZIX is critical for reducing latency for in-country users.
Bare Metal: Bare metal server availability is emerging. Providers like Hivelocity can offer services in the region, often deploying equipment from nearby established hubs to meet local demand.
Power Analysis
Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity costs are estimated between ZWL 85.00–110.00/kWh, as of September 2025. This rate is subject to fluctuation, and securing stable power agreements is a primary consideration for data center operators and tenants. The national grid relies on renewables (55%) and fossil fuels (45%).
Power Grid Reliability: The power grid can experience instability. Data centers in Harare are engineered with significant redundancy, including multi-megawatt generator farms and extensive UPS systems, to guarantee uptime during utility outages.
Market Access, Business & Tax Climate
Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers in Harare are situated to serve the central business district and surrounding commercial zones. This proximity provides low-latency access for the financial services, telecommunications, and government sectors operating in the capital.
Regional Market Reach: Harare serves as a digital access point for Zimbabwe's population and can act as a connectivity hub for neighboring landlocked countries like Zambia and Malawi.
Tax Advantage For Data Centers: Zimbabwe offers a significant financial benefit through data center-specific sales tax exemptions. This program, extended to mid-2037, directly reduces the capital and operational expenditure associated with deploying IT infrastructure.
Natural Disaster Risk
Harare has a moderate overall disaster risk score of 5 out of 10, as of September 2025. The risk profile is not driven by catastrophic events but by environmental and infrastructure challenges.
Key natural hazards include:
- Drought: The most significant risk (9.7/10), impacting water resources and power generation.
- Epidemic: A notable factor (5.1/10) that can affect workforce availability and supply chains.
- River Flood: A moderate risk (3.6/10) in specific low-lying areas.
- Earthquake: A low but present risk (1.8/10).
Tsunami, tropical cyclone, and coastal flood risks are negligible for this inland location.
