Kenya continues to strengthen its digital infrastructure to support the rapid growth of cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital services across East Africa.
In Nairobi, the country inaugurated Digital Realty’s NBO2 data center on Monday, September 7. The 6.4 MW facility is designed to serve cloud providers, businesses, financial institutions and telecommunications operators.
The new facility complements the NBO1 data center, bringing Digital Realty’s total campus capacity in the Kenyan capital to more than 14 MW.
NBO2 also provides access to more than 100 networks, two Internet exchange points and a satellite teleport. This connectivity is expected to facilitate business interconnection and provide companies with access to networks and digital services both across East Africa and internationally.
Nairobi Prepares for Surging AI-Driven Demand
The launch of the new infrastructure comes amid rapidly growing demand for computing power, driven in particular by the expansion of artificial intelligence applications and cloud services.
During the inauguration ceremony, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, John Tanui, encouraged Digital Realty to continue investing and consider further expanding its capacity, with the goal of reaching 20 MW.
"Work will continue on the policy front to position Kenya as an attractive investment destination,” Tanui said, highlighting the opportunities the digital economy can create, particularly for Kenyan youth.
For the authorities, the development of digital infrastructure is therefore a key tool for attracting investment, supporting technology companies and creating new economic opportunities.
Two Data Centers to Strengthen Business Continuity
With NBO2, Digital Realty aims to provide businesses with an environment capable of hosting their equipment and data while keeping them connected to major networks, cloud providers and other players in the digital ecosystem.
Customers will also be able to distribute their IT workloads between NBO1 and NBO2, two separate facilities.
This configuration is expected to strengthen resilience and ensure business continuity in the event of an incident affecting one of the sites.
Kenya Aims to Establish Itself as a Regional Digital Hub
The development of NBO2 is part of Nairobi’s broader Digital Superhighway strategy, which combines expanded connectivity, infrastructure development and the rollout of digital services.
Through this strategy, the government aims to position Kenya as a regional digital platform, serving as a gateway for companies seeking to access multiple East African markets from Nairobi.
Data centers play a central role in this strategy. They are a critical component of the digital ecosystem, connecting submarine cables, terrestrial networks, Internet exchange points and cloud services.
By expanding its capacity, Nairobi is preparing for a new phase of digital growth driven by AI and cloud computing, while reinforcing its ambition to become one of East Africa’s leading technology hubs.