Kenya’s Safaricom has completed phase one of a new data centre in Limuru, featuring three buildings and sustainable energy solutions. The facility aims for 2.8MW IT capacity by January 2026 and will adhere to Tier III standards. It includes an innovation lab and showcases the company’s commitment to best practices in the industry. Esther Karuga noted the centre’s world-class standards compared to global tech giants.
Safaricom, a leading mobile operator in Kenya, has successfully completed phase one of its state-of-the-art data centre located in Limuru. This facility, situated in Redhill, will consist of three buildings, with the first building’s phase one construction now finalized.
The company anticipates providing 2.8MW of IT capacity by the conclusion of the second phase, which is scheduled for completion in January 2026. However, the overall IT capacity for the fully constructed facility remains unspecified. Notably, the data centre will comply with Tier III standards for construction.
Innovatively, the data centre will employ free cooling techniques and will supplement its grid power usage with solar energy. Additionally, the project includes an innovation lab intended for the testing of new ideas, although specific details about this aspect have not been disclosed.
Esther Karuga, the senior manager overseeing the Limuru facility at Safaricom, remarked, “When we call it world-class, we’ve already been tested in terms of best practices and industry standards, which means we play in the same league with Google and Microsoft.”
Limuru is strategically positioned near Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, an area that houses important data centres including Digital Realty, Paix, Africa Data Centres, and MTN. Safaricom also operates three other facilities within close proximity to Nairobi, along with two additional sites in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The completion of phase one of Safaricom’s data centre in Limuru marks a significant advancement in Kenya’s technological infrastructure. With plans for future expansion and adherence to international standards, the centre aims to position itself competitively alongside global technology leaders, while also emphasizing sustainability through the integration of solar energy.
Original Source: broadcastmediaafrica.com
