Airtel Africa has formally started building its first data facility in Lagos, as part of its new data centre business, Nxtra.
The Nxtra data centre project in Nigeria is expected to provide jobs for over 1000 Nigerians.
Segun Ogunsanya, the company's Group CEO, revealed this at the project's groundbreaking ceremony in Lagos on Tuesday.
According to him, 250 of the 1000 jobs will be permanent once the project is fully operational.
The Nxtra by Airtel data centre in Lagos would provide 38 megawatts of total power and have high density racks built with the newest best practices to attain 1.3 power use effectiveness (PUE).
It is expected to go live in the first quarter of 2026.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ogunsanya, remarked that the Nxtra project is a critical component of the company's growth strategy and represents a watershed moment in the company's history, with a focus on Nigeria, the company's largest market.
“The Nxtra Data Centers will enhance data sovereignty, security, and preservation within the continent, reflecting our commitment to make Nigeria a major hub for access to digital services as we propel Africa towards a sustainable and inclusive digital age,” he said.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said, “The Nxtra Frontier is not merely the construction of a facility, but the dawn of a new era in data control, security, and preservation throughout Africa.”
Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation, and digital economy, also underlined the opportunities for the economy and business in a future powered by Artificial Intelligence and data centres like as Nxtra, which would improve connectivity and promote corporate growth.
He said: “Data is a key driver in our economy. Not only do we need to connect our people, we also must invest in the digital economy, and through the investment that companies like Airtel have made in our economy, we are fully able to participate in the digital economy.”
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