Safaricom, iXAfrica launch East Africa’s first AI-ready data centre


By Nixon Kanali, Kenya Correspondent
Johannesburg, 14 May 2025

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Safaricom and iXAfrica collaborate to develop Kenya's first enterprise-ready AI infrastructure.

Safaricom has teamed with iXAfrica Data Centre to launch East Africa's first AI-ready data centre services to enterprise and cloud solutions clients.

The agreement, announced on Tuesday, would provide businesses and government agencies with scalable, cost-effective infrastructure solutions for data storage, backup, and computing, the companies said.

They went to say this is particularly important for businesses integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations, as Safaricom will now serve AI-intensive workloads locally, marking a critical milestone in Kenya's digital transformation journey.

Also, the partnership includes a combined go-to-market strategy as well as the introduction of dedicated enterprise and cloud suites starting at 350kW and scaling up to more than 1MW. 

It also includes integrated connectivity solutions that leverage both firms' distinct strengths to serve businesses across East Africa.

According to the two partners, this architecture was designed specifically to accommodate the high-density processing, cooling, and resilience requirements of modern AI workloads and applications.

Furthermore, the companies said the agreement will enable enterprises to deploy advanced workloads and AI technologies in Kenya, supporting data sovereignty, compliance, and latency reduction.

The end-to-end enterprise solution, according to the parties, provides an integrated infrastructure stack, including colocation (2U+) and connectivity, cloud and managed services, and cyber security—all under the Safaricom brand.

The iXAfrica NBOX1 Nairobi Campus has a design capacity of 22.5MW, making it the largest data centre project in East Africa. 

The facility serves a population of over 300 million people and is strategically located along key fibre optic routes, providing access to reliable, low-carbon power sources.

"As East Africa's digital economy continues its rapid expansion, businesses increasingly require robust, scalable, and secure infrastructure solutions that can support the next wave of innovation, including AI workloads,‘’ said Dr Peter Ndegwa, CEO, Safaricom.

‘’Through this partnership with iXAfrica, we are enhancing our enterprise portfolio with premium data centre services that meet the highest global standards while supporting sustainable digital growth in the markets we serve in line with our vision to be Africa's leading purpose-led technology company by 2030."

Guy Willner, chairman of iXAfrica, added: "By combining our purpose-built, world-class AI-ready infrastructure with Safaricom's unparalleled market presence and customer relationships, we're creating a digital ecosystem that will accelerate innovation and growth across the region."

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