Kenya is poised to become a hub for global technology companies with plans underway to construct a one-gigawatt green energy-powered data centre in Naivasha, Nakuru County, serving the entire African continent. President William Ruto met with Microsoft President Brad Smith, G42 CEO Pang Xiao, and Eco-Cloud officials to finalize plans for this groundbreaking investment aimed at enhancing efficiency, creating jobs, and revolutionizing service delivery.
This environmentally friendly data centre, constructed in partnership between the Kenyan government, Microsoft Eco-Cloud, and G42 Investment Group, will leverage Kenya’s abundant green energy resources, with over 70% of the country’s grid power sourced from renewable sources. By attracting data organizations that prioritize sustainability, the centre will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combatting climate change, and promoting environmental conservation.
The project builds upon the success of the existing Eco-Cloud Data Centre in Naivasha, powered by geothermal renewable energy from Olkaria. It aligns with the government’s digital superhighway initiative, a key component of President Ruto’s bottom-up economic agenda, which aims to improve digital connectivity nationwide. With an allocated budget of Sh2.8 billion, the initiative includes laying 100,000 kilometers of fiber cables, installing Wi-Fi hotspots in 25,000 areas, and establishing digital innovation hubs in all 1450 wards.
As Kenya continues to position itself as a leader in technology and innovation, the construction of the green energy-powered data centre marks a significant milestone in attracting global tech players, fostering economic growth, and driving sustainable development.
