IXAfrica data centres, in collaboration with Schneider Electric, have launched a state-of-the-art hyper-scale data centre in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in the region’s digital infrastructure development. This partnership aims to deliver world-class, sustainable cloud services, enhancing reliability and efficiency.
The newly launched facility, NBOX1, stands as a Tier 3+ carrier-neutral data centre, equipped to support advanced AI applications. It is celebrated as the largest and most technologically advanced digital ecosystem for cloud, colocation, and connectivity in East Africa.
Central to NBOX1’s infrastructure is Schneider Electric’s MV and LV switchgear, which ensures 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, designed to support N+1 redundancy with four independent power trains. This setup meets IXAfrica’s current and future needs, aiming for a design PUE of 1.25 across the campus and guaranteeing 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.
Main Image: Telecompaper
