Airtel Africa has announced plans for the construction of a cutting-edge data centre in Nairobi, Kenya in a strategic move aimed at diversifying revenue streams and fortifying digital infrastructure.
This development marks the company’s second such facility on the continent, following its inaugural centre in Nigeria. The Nairobi data centre, boasting a capacity of seven megawatts, is poised to complement the 36-megawatt facility slated for construction in Lagos, Nigeria.
During a conference call with analysts on February 1, Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive, Segun Ogunsanya, outlined the company’s ambitious timeline.
Ogunsanya revealed plans to commence construction in Nigeria imminently, with the Kenyan project swiftly following suit. “We are going to break ground in Nigeria in the next couple of weeks, and the one in Kenya will follow soon,” emphasized Ogunsanya, projecting operational readiness for both centres by mid-2026.
Ogunsanya described the impending data centres as pivotal assets within Airtel Africa’s portfolio, underscoring their commercial viability and the company’s commitment to diversification beyond traditional communication and mobile money services.
This expansion aligns with Airtel Africa’s overarching strategy to bolster local data centre capacity, facilitating expedited access to digital services while curbing data management expenses. The initiative aims to foster innovation and nurture a burgeoning pool of tech talent across the continent.
Last December, Airtel Africa unveiled Nxtra, its data hub business, aimed at addressing the escalating demand for reliable and sustainable data centre capacity in Africa. Nxtra’s vision entails establishing an expansive network of high-capacity data centres strategically positioned in major cities across Airtel Africa’s operational footprint.
Through these initiatives, Airtel Africa endeavors to position itself at the vanguard of Africa’s digital transformation, laying the groundwork for a dynamic and resilient digital economy primed for future growth and innovation.
