Sylvia Duruson
IXAfrica data centres and Schneider Electric are pioneering a new era in Kenya’s digital infrastructure with the unveiling of a state-of-the-art hyper-scale data centre. Their partnership promises to bring world-class, sustainable cloud services to the region, boosting reliability and efficiency.
The newly launched facility, NBOX1, is a Tier 3+ carrier-neutral data centre equipped to support cutting-edge AI applications. It has been hailed as the largest and most technologically sophisticated digital ecosystem for cloud, colocation, and connectivity in East Africa.
At the heart of NBOX1’s powered infrastructure lies Schneider Electric’s MV and LV switchgear, ensuring stable and reliable cloud services. These services are powered by Kenya’s renewable energy grid, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Ifeanyi Odoh, Schneider Electric’s Country President in East Africa, highlighted the advanced features of their solutions. These are designed to support N+1 redundancy with four independent power trains, meeting IXAfrica’s current and future needs. The facility aims to achieve a design PUE of 1.25 across the campus and guarantees 99.999% uptime.
IXAfrica’s CEO, Snehar Shah, emphasized Kenya’s readiness for hyper-cloud technology. He cited the country’s advanced cloud adoption, digitally savvy ecosystem, diverse internet fibre connectivity, and access to reliable, low-carbon power sources as key factors. Shah also noted Kenya’s stable regulatory and political environment, along with its strong economic growth forecast of 5.2% for 2024.
IXAfrica has been steadily expanding its presence in Kenya’s infrastructure market. The company’s Nairobi Campus One has been under development since early 2021, backed by a $50 million investment from Helios. In August 2023, IXAfrica further solidified its commitment to the region by acquiring 11 acres of prime land from Tilisi Developments for a second data centre campus in Nairobi.
The African data centre sector has experienced significant growth recently, with Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa leading the charge. Kenya’s data centre market is projected to reach $440 million by 2029, up from $227 million in 2023, representing a CAGR of 11.66% from 2023-2029.
This growth is attracting international attention and investment. In May 2024, Microsoft and G42, an AI firm based in the UAE, announced plans to invest $1 billion in Kenya’s digital infrastructure. This investment includes G42’s collaboration with local partners to construct an advanced data centre campus powered by renewable geothermal energy and water conservation technology.
The launch of NBOX1 represents a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey towards becoming a digital hub in East Africa. By providing advanced cloud services and supporting AI applications, the facility is set to play a crucial role in driving innovation and digital transformation across the region.
The partnership between IXAfrica and Schneider Electric demonstrates the growing importance of collaboration between local and global players in developing Africa’s digital infrastructure. As more companies invest in Kenya’s digital ecosystem, the country is positioning itself as a key player in the global digital economy.
The focus on sustainability and renewable energy in these data centre projects aligns with global efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of digital infrastructure. This approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also leverages Kenya’s abundant renewable energy resources, potentially setting a model for sustainable data centre development in other regions.
