Kenya has strengthened its position as a regional digital hub following the launch of the iColo, now officially Digital Realty, NBO2 Data Center in Nairobi.
The facility was officially launched on Monday by Principal Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy John Tanui and Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke.
NBO2 is designed to serve cloud providers, financial institutions, enterprises and internet service providers by providing a secure, scalable and highly connected environment to support digital growth across East Africa.
The data centre is expected to provide infrastructure for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing and regional interconnectivity, as demand for digital services continues to grow.
Speaking during the launch, PS Tanui said the government remains committed to creating an enabling policy environment to attract investment and strengthen Kenya’s digital economy.
“Work will continue on the policy space to position Kenya as an attractive investment destination, with opportunities being unlocked for young people to take their place in this fast-growing digital economy,” Tanui said.
He also highlighted Kenya’s strategic position as a digital gateway to the region, saying the country is well placed to benefit from continued investment in digital infrastructure.
PS Stephen Isaboke said the government has prioritised the Digital Superhighway and creative economy as key areas of focus.
“Kenya is actually a knowledge-driven economy, with a well-educated youth population that is tech-savvy,” Isaboke said.
The launch brought together senior government officials, diplomats and technology industry leaders, including US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Frank Garcia, US Embassy Nairobi Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. Burns, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology Ambassador Philip Thigo and Communications Authority of Kenya Director General David Mugonyi.
A data center is a dedicated physical facility or building that houses large groups of networked computer servers, data storage systems, and networking equipment used to store, process, and distribute digital information.
Data centers power almost everything online, from basic emails and website hosting to cloud storage, streaming services, online banking, and artificial intelligence training.
Nairobi accounts for 15 of Kenya’s 19 data centres, and holds over 80% of the country’s data centre power capacity, according to industry tracking.
Mombasa is the secondary hub, favoured for its subsea cable landing stations connecting East Africa to the Middle East, Europe and Asia.