African telecom giant Airtel Africa is stepping into the future, announcing plans to build a new data center in Nairobi, Kenya. This marks their second major data center project, following their established facility in Lagos, Nigeria.
This news also come after Airtel Africa announced the launch Telesonic to boost Wholesale Data across 14 nations in Afrcia.
The Kenyan Data Center, scheduled for completion by mid-2026, will pack a 7-megawatt capacity, aiming to tackle the East African region's surging demand for secure and reliable data storage and computing power.
This move signals a strategic shift for Airtel Africa, diversifying their revenue streams beyond traditional telecom and mobile money services.
"We're thrilled to unveil our plans for a Kenyan data center," declared Segun Ogunsanya, Airtel Africa's CEO. "This investment underscores our commitment to empowering Africa's digital transformation and equipping businesses with the critical infrastructure they need to succeed."
Construction will kick off soon in Nigeria, with the Kenyan facility following suit. Both centers will become cornerstones of Nxtra, Airtel Africa's newly launched data center business.
The Nxtra seeks to fill the growing data center void across Africa, planning smaller centers in Tanzania, DR Congo, and Gabon, alongside the major hubs in Nairobi and Lagos.
This venture promises to create jobs, fuel innovation, and nurture a skilled tech workforce in local economies. By offering local data storage solutions, Airtel Africa hopes to reduce latency and boost data access speeds for businesses and individuals across the region.
By strategically entering the booming African data center market, Airtel Africa positions itself as a key player in the continent's digital infrastructure development. This move empowers businesses to tap into the vast opportunities of the digital age, propelling Africa towards a brighter, more connected future.