Nigeria is deploying Africa’s first distributed AI data center network, built into 50,000 solar-powered iLamps across Katsina State through a deal with the state government and Warwickshire-based Conflow Power Group.

The iLamp network could enable traffic enforcement cameras and analytics for speeding, parking violations, and seatbelt checks, with potential facial recognition for wanted or missing persons, alongside plans for public WiFi and Bluetooth services.

The project highlights broader concerns about AI infrastructure’s energy use and e-waste, underscoring environmental and logistical challenges of distributed AI deployments.

Experts say iLamps won’t replace traditional data centers for heavy AI workloads due to slower communication over distance, but could function as access points for lighter AI tasks, similar to mobile network masts.

Revenue could come from traffic fines captured by cameras (with Conflow Power Group taking 20% after three years) and from selling computing power to AI companies, with proceeds directed into a green bond for installation and maintenance.

Each iLamp houses a cylindrical solar panel and battery powering a low-energy Nvidia chip, delivering 15 watts of computing power, and collectively achieving 13.75 petaOPS without using grid power.

Negotiations involving seven Nigerian states, universities, and institutions could expand the network to over 300,000 iLamp units, potentially making it Africa’s largest distributed AI compute network.