Kenya is set to host East Africa’s largest data hub, as Airtel Africa breaks ground on its 44 MW Nxtra Data Centre in Tatu City SEZ.
This landmark project reflects Kenya’s growing prominence as a regional digital hub and aligns with the increasing demand for cloud computing , artificial intelligence (AI), and secure data hosting across the continent.
A Game-Changer for Kenya’s Digital Economy
The Nxtra Data Centre, developed by Airtel Africa’s data centre subsidiary, Nxtra by Airtel Africa, is designed to meet the surging demand for advanced digital infrastructure.
The facility will feature next-generation servers, high-density GPU-ready racks, and robust security systems, ensuring 99.999% uptime through multiple redundant fibre paths.
This makes it ideal for hyperscalers, enterprises, government agencies, and AI-driven workloads.
The scale and quality of this facility will firmly place Kenya on the map as a trusted host for global and regional digital infrastructure
Kenya’s ICT Cabinet Secretary, Hon. William Kabogo
The project aligns with Kenya’s Digital Superhighway Agenda , a key pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), focused on enhancing cloud infrastructure, e-government services, and digital job creation.
Why Tatu City SEZ?
Located 30km from Nairobi’s CBD, Tatu City SEZ is a rapidly growing hub for technology and innovation.
The SEZ offers unparalleled infrastructure, including a 135 MVA power substation with 99.7% uptime, a 24/7 water supply for industries, 70 km of international-standard roads, and over 120 km of secure underground fibre. These features make it an ideal location for a data centre of this scale.
Moreover, Tatu City’s commitment to sustainability sets it apart. The SEZ delivers 95% renewable energy, with one-third sourced directly from solar power.
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Combined with Kenya’s predominantly renewable national grid, powered by geothermal, hydro, and wind, the Nxtra Data Centre will be one of the greenest data centres globally.
This focus on sustainability aligns with Airtel Africa’s vision to provide scalable, eco-friendly digital solutions.
Nxtra’s Strategic Vision for Africa
The Nxtra Data Centre is a cornerstone of Airtel Africa’s broader strategy to strengthen the continent’s digital backbone.
By building specialised data centre capacity, we are positioning Nxtra Africa as the go-to partner for cloud and AI workload hosting
Yashnath Issur, CEO of Nxtra Africa
The facility aims to reduce reliance on overseas data hosting, enhance data sovereignty, and lower latency for businesses and governments across East Africa.
The 44MW facility will be constructed in two phases, each delivering 22MW of IT power capacity. This phased approach ensures scalability and flexibility to meet evolving demands.
The centre will support a wide range of applications, from cloud computing and machine learning to edge computing and digital payments, catering to local enterprises, fintech firms, AI startups, and international cloud providers.
Economic and Regional Impact
The construction of the Nxtra Data Centre is expected to have a significant economic impact. Hundreds of direct and indirect jobs will be created during the construction phase, with additional permanent technical and operational roles once the facility is operational in Q1 2027.
Airtel Africa plans to collaborate with local suppliers and contractors, injecting millions into Kenya’s economy and supporting the growth of the country’s technology ecosystem.
Ashish Malhotra, Managing Director of Airtel Kenya, noted that the data centre will attract global tech firms, lower digital service costs, and reinforce Kenya’s leadership in Africa’s digital growth.
By providing local hosting options, the facility will reduce the need for African businesses to rely on international data centres, improving service quality and affordability.
Kenya’s Competitive Edge in Data Centres
Kenya is rapidly emerging as one of Africa’s most competitive data centre markets, driven by high internet penetration (over 26 million broadband subscriptions and 97% mobile penetration in 2025), strong undersea connectivity through cables like TEAMS, SEACOM, LION2, and PEACE, and a renewable energy advantage.
According to Research and Markets (2025), Kenya’s data centre industry is projected to grow at a 15.4% CAGR through 2030, reaching an estimated market value of KES 55 billion.
Compared to competitors like IXAfrica’s 18MW NBOX1.2 facility in Nairobi and Icolo’s 13MW MBA1 in Mombasa, Nxtra’s 44MW capacity positions it as a market leader.
This scale, combined with Tatu City’s tax incentives (including a 10% corporate tax rate for the first decade, zero-rated VAT, and exemptions on import and stamp duties), makes the Nxtra Data Centre highly attractive to global cloud providers and hyperscalers.
A Step Toward Africa’s Digital Future
The Nxtra Data Centre is more than just a technological upgrade; it’s a transformative step toward positioning Kenya as the “Silicon Savannah.”
As construction progresses, the project is set to redefine the region’s digital landscape, making Kenya a preferred hub for global and regional digital infrastructure by Q1 2027.
Ronnie Paul is a seasoned writer and analyst with a prolific portfolio of over 1,000 published articles, specialising in fintech, cryptocurrency, and digital finance at Africa Digest News.
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