Kenya is taking a giant step toward becoming Africa’s digital powerhouse. Airtel Kenya, through its Nxtra by Airtel Africa subsidiary, has broken ground on what will be the largest data center in East Africa.
Artificial Intelligence and beyond
The 44-megawatt facility at Tatu City Special Economic Zone is designed to handle the rising demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence workloads, and secure data hosting. With construction now underway, the center could cement Kenya’s position as the “Silicon Savannah” and reduce reliance on overseas data services.
The Nxtra Data Centre will deliver 44MW of IT power capacity in phases, starting with two 22MW stages. It will feature GPU-ready, high-density racks capable of supporting next-generation technologies, while promising 99.999% uptime through multiple fiber paths and advanced security systems.
Why Now
The project comes as African governments and businesses seek local alternatives to offshore cloud providers. Data sovereignty concerns, faster response times, and the need for resilience are driving demand for regional hosting facilities. By 2027, when the center is expected to be fully operational, Kenya could be a preferred hub for both African and global digital infrastructure players.
Regional Impact
For Kenya, the data center is more than just a technical upgrade. It’s a signal of confidence in the country’s digital economy and policy environment. Airtel Kenya Managing Director Ashish Malhotra described it as transformative, noting that it could lower digital service costs, attract international companies and investors, while also creating new opportunities for local businesses.
A Green Hub for Technology
The facility will draw power from Tatu City’s 95% renewable energy supply, one-third of which comes directly from solar. This, combined with Kenya’s largely renewable grid, positions the project as one of the most sustainable data centers globally. Tatu City also offers business incentives such as a 10% corporate tax rate for the first decade, VAT zero-rating, and exemptions on import and stamp duties.
Advantage for Kenya’s contractors, technicians and economy
ICT Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo called the project “a reflection of confidence in Kenya’s economy, policies, and vision for a digitally enabled society.” Nxtra Africa CEO Yashnath Issur highlighted that the design is built to global standards of reliability and sustainability, ensuring scalability as demand grows.
Beyond technology, the project will create hundreds of construction jobs and permanent technical roles once operations begin. Airtel has committed to working with local suppliers and contractors, injecting significant capital into the economy.
Why You Should Care
For Kenyan businesses, this project could mean more affordable, reliable, and locally hosted digital services. For governments, it offers a secure option that keeps sensitive data within borders. And for everyday internet users, it promises better speeds and lower latency on the services they rely on.
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