East and Central Africa’s largest hyperscale, carrier-neutral, AI-ready data centre, iXAfrica Data Centre Limited, is set to host Oracle’s new cloud region in Nairobi, Kenya, marking a significant milestone in the region’s digital transformation.
Announced by President William Ruto in January 2024, this partnership will establish the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) region in Kenya, addressing the rising demand for OCI services across the country.
iXAfrica’s selection as Oracle’s colocation partner underscores its unique position as Kenya’s most execution-ready hyperscale data centre. Designed to meet global cloud standards, the facility combines carrier neutrality, high-density AI capabilities, resilient power architecture, and proximity to key connectivity infrastructure. These features position it as the only facility in the market capable of supporting immediate large-scale public cloud deployments, making it a critical enabler for regional digital growth.
Snehar Shah, CEO of iXAfrica, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, emphasizing that the project leverages Kenya’s abundant renewable energy, skilled talent pool, and extensive submarine and national connectivity. “We are delighted to be in execution mode to bring OCI to Kenya,” he said. “This partnership allows organizations in the region to accelerate digital transformation, deploy latency-sensitive applications, and develop AI-powered services closer to their end users. It also lays the foundation for a more resilient, sovereign, and globally competitive digital economy anchored on world-class infrastructure within Kenya.”
David Bunei, Oracle’s country leader for Kenya, highlighted the significance of OCI’s security, scalability, and mission-critical workload capabilities. He noted that partnering with iXAfrica will further support the growth of Kenya’s digital economy, enabling local enterprises and government agencies to innovate on a global scale.
With the infrastructure for construction, power, and connectivity already in advanced stages, iXAfrica is operating in full execution mode to support hyperscale cloud platforms. This readiness underscores its commitment to delivering resilient, scalable digital infrastructure that meets the rigorous operational standards demanded by global cloud providers, positioning Kenya as a key hub for cloud and AI innovation in the region.
