Microsoft and G42 have unveiled a meaningful plan to construct a hyperscale data centre in Kenya, a move that will significantly bolster the digital infrastructure of the entire East Africa region.
Establishing the Microsoft Azure East Africa Cloud Region is not just a project. Still, it is a testament to the two companies’ colossal US$ 1 billion initial investment, marking the beginning of a comprehensive digital transformation in Kenya.
“In collaboration with Microsoft and other stakeholders, G42 will lead the arrangement of an initial investment of US$ 1 billion for the various components outlined in the comprehensive package,” Microsoft said.
Microsoft, which has already deployed several Azure data centres in South Africa and is building more capacity in Johannesburg, said the Kenya facility will be a “state-of-the-art green data centre.”
“A letter of intent formalising the relationship will be signed as part of Kenyan President William Ruto’s state visit to the US, the first state visit to Washington, DC by a sitting African head of state in nearly two decades.
The new data centre campus will be in Olkaria, Kenya, and “run entirely on renewable geothermal energy and designed with state-of-the-art water conservation technology.”
“The data centre will run on and provide access to Microsoft Azure through a new East Africa Cloud Region, which will become operational within 24 months of signing the definitive agreements.”
