In a significant advancement for Kenya’s digital landscape, Airtel Kenya, in collaboration with its data centre subsidiary Nxtra by Airtel Africa, has commenced construction on a 44MW sustainable data centre located within the Tatu City Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Once operational, this facility is set to become the largest data centre in East Africa, offering 44MW of IT power capacity in various phases. It will feature next-generation servers and high-density GPU-ready racks, engineered for 99.999% uptime through multiple redundant fibre paths, top-tier security protocols, and an unwavering commitment to energy efficiency.
The data centre will primarily be powered by Tatu City’s renewable energy supply, which consists of 95% clean energy—one-third of which is generated from solar sources. Coupled with Kenya’s largely renewable national grid, this positions Tatu City as one of the most environmentally friendly data centre hubs worldwide.
Developed by Rendeavour, Tatu City has seen substantial investments of hundreds of millions of dollars in state-of-the-art infrastructure. This includes a 135MVA high-reliability power substation, a continuous industrial water supply, efficient stormwater management systems, 70km of international-standard roads, and over 120km of secure underground fibre. The SEZ also offers various business incentives, including a 10% corporate tax rate for the first decade and 15% for the subsequent ten years, VAT zero-rating, and import and stamp duty exemptions.
Stephen Jennings, Founder & CEO of Rendeavour, commented, “Over the past ten years, we have dedicated ourselves to creating world-class infrastructure and sustainable energy solutions at Tatu City, establishing it as the preferred destination for data centres in East Africa. Airtel’s choice to invest in Nxtra here strongly validates our vision. With Nxtra joining over 100 global and local companies already flourishing at Tatu City, we are optimistic that more data centres will follow. We are forging a resilient and sustainable digital framework necessary for Africa’s economic growth.”
Yashnath Issur, CEO of Data Centre at Airtel Africa, added, “By constructing the largest data centre in East Africa, we are setting a foundation for a dynamic digital ecosystem that will empower enterprises, aid governments, and create new opportunities for local communities. Nxtra by Airtel is committed to adhering to the highest international standards, ensuring reliability, scalability, and energy efficiency. Our focus extends beyond mere capacity; we are dedicated to sustainability and resilience, allowing customers to harness next-generation technologies in a secure environment.”
The groundbreaking event was honoured by the presence of Hon. William Kabogo, CS of the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, and Mr. Peter Ikumilu, Acting Assistant Director General of the Communications Authority, alongside executives from Airtel and Rendeavour. Leaders emphasised the project’s potential to enhance Kenya’s reputation as the “Silicon Savannah” and support the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
More than 25,000 individuals live, work, and study at Tatu City, which has attracted over US$3 billion in investments from companies such as Heineken, Naivas, Emirates Logistics, Dormans, NCBA, and CCI Global, among others. The arrival of Nxtra further solidifies Tatu City’s status as East Africa’s premier digital hub.
Airtel Kenya reiterated its commitment to the growth of Kenya and the broader East African region, focusing on providing enhanced services to customers, empowering businesses, aiding governments, and unlocking opportunities for communities across the continent.
