Telecom
Africa Data Centres Breaks Ground on New Sameer Facility in Nairobi
Africa Data Centres has broken ground on its new facility in Nairobi; The new build will expand its existing data centre by up to 15MW of IT load; The facility will be built in the company’s leading-edge modular design.
Africa Data Centres, a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group, is pleased to announce it has officially broken ground on an additional data centre facility in Nairobi. The new build will see the existing facility on the adjacent piece of land expanded up to an extra 15MW of IT load.
ADC’s expansion at the new site will be completed in the first half of 2024 and will bring five times more capacity than is currently installed.
“We believe that data centres will play a significant role in digital transformation and economic growth on our continent. Without them, the push towards a digital economy in Africa will be missing a key pillar. Our decision to increase our investment in our data centres in Kenya is in recognition of the position the country now occupies as a leader in the adoption of digital technologies in Africa” says Hardy Pemhiwa, Group President & CEO of Cassava Technologies.
During the ground-breaking ceremony today, Tesh Durvasula, CEO of Africa Data Centres, said, “The expansion will enable Africa Data Centre clients to grow and scale depending on their requirements. They can start small, increase to a medium capacity, and even benefit from a hyperscale type of deployment in a few years if they choose to. This will enable customers to operate multiple deployments across our sites with a single operations team, campus, and infrastructure they are familiar with”.
Kenya is the country that pioneered mobile money, and today boasts of a wide range of incubators and tech startups, a clear sign of an innovative tech culture. The focus on Kenya as a key region aims to take the region further into the digital era and uplift the country’s profile globally as an attractive investment destination for international cloud providers, hyperscalers, and other ICT companies.
The new data facility will begin with 5MW of IT load and will be built in Africa Data Centres’ leading-edge modular design – an innovative approach that sees the entire facility, including all critical plant rooms, prefabricated off-site. This ensures the highest possible quality, whilst local contractors will still benefit from contracts to lay foundations, assemble, and complete the build.
He stresses that sustainability is at the heart of everything Africa Data Centres does. In terms of cooling, even as the largest network of interconnected, carrier- and cloud-neutral data centre facilities on the continent, ADC has a strict policy of not using adiabatic systems. “We do not use water in any of our cooling systems and are one of the few colocation providers who have taken this step,” said Durvasula.
While the common belief might be that water and adiabatic systems are more efficient than air cooling systems, this simply is not the case. “With the newest technology, if free-cooling capacity is maximised, it becomes far more efficient and saves water which is becoming a critical commodity, particularly in Africa.”
He added that Africa Data Centre is fortunate in Kenya as almost 70% of grid power is from green energy sources. “This helps us to meet our sustainability objectives because we understand no organisation can achieve zero carbon emissions by itself. We understand that sustainability is about ensuring that we conduct ourselves in a manner that minimises our impact on the environment. We extend this ethos to all of our partners, and constantly look for ways to ensure that all elements of the business contribute positively to the sustainability of the planet”.
Today’s event is a step forward in the company’s expansion plans announced in 2021, which will see Africa Data Centres investing $500m into building hyperscale data centres across Africa with the support of the US Development Finance Corporation
Nigeria is set to receive telecommunications equipment and fibre optic infrastructure worth $3 billion in June 2025, according to Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
Speaking during a panel session at the Nigeria Development Update (NDU) organised by the World Bank, Tijani revealed that the equipment valued at $1 billion was expected to arrive in the country by mid-2025.
He added that an additional $2 billion worth of fibre optic cables would soon be delivered to boost Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure.
According to him, the initiative aims to significantly enhance communication services across the country and bridge the connectivity gap.
Tijani also noted that a pilot phase targeting over 20 million Nigerians who currently lack access to any form of telecommunications would soon be launched.
The Nigeria Development Update (NDU) is a bi-annual World Bank report that assesses the country’s recent economic and social developments, policy directions, and provides recommendations to address emerging challenges.
Legend Internet Plc has launched FTTR by Legend — Nigeria’s first Fibre-to-the-Room (FTTR) service, redefining the standard for broadband connectivity across homes and businesses.
“Being listed on NGX is just the beginning, With FTTR by Legend, we are building the infrastructure of the future, today — not just to improve connectivity, but to transform how people live, work, and create”, said Aisha Abdulaziz, CEO of Legend Internet Plc.
This groundbreaking innovation was deployed by Legend, with strategic technology support from global telecommunications leader- Huawei. The result is a seamless digital experience that meets the demands of modern living.
The launch of FTTR follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Legend Internet and Huawei Technologies.
“Our collaboration with Huawei reflects our commitment to global standards and local innovation. Unlike traditional broadband that stops at the router, FTTR by Legend brings pure fibre into every room, offering zero lag, full-house coverage, and the performance needed for smart homes, remote work, creators, and tech-forward enterprises.
The collaboration is aimed at accelerating broadband infrastructure development, enhancing local capacity, and positioning Nigeria as a digital leader in Africa. Huawei brings decades of R&D in fibre optic and smart home technology to support Legend in deploying this state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Coming on the heels of its recent listing on the Nigerian Exchange Limited(NGX), Legend Internet PLC shows no signs of slowing down. The company is celebrating its public debut with a landmark product — one that delivers ultra-high-speed fibre into every room of a building, enabling uninterrupted, gigabit-speed internet at all times.
Legend Internet’s entry into fibre-to-the-room solutions is part of a broader ambition to close the digital divide in Nigeria. While FTTR by Legend is currently being offered exclusively to high-end residences, the company plans to scale and democratize access through complementary solutions over time. This aligns with Legend’s dual-market approach.
In broadband, Legend leverages fibre optics to deliver ultra-high-speed internet directly to consumers, with a focus on reliability, speed, and innovation. In fintech, the company is expanding last-mile payment infrastructure and delivering secure, scalable tools including wallets, merchant solutions, and digital financial platforms for everyday use.
Legend’s mission is clear: to power Nigeria’s digital future — through cutting-edge technology, bold thinking, and local-first execution.
National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has welcomed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy,” describing it as a bold step toward accelerating Nigeria’s industrial revolution and economic growth.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NASENI’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, commended the policy’s prioritization of locally made goods and indigenous solutions in government procurement.
He said the directive would empower local entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and technology innovators by giving them the necessary support to thrive.
“With Mr. President’s directive to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to revise and enforce guidelines in favor of local suppliers, we anticipate a significant increase in patronage of Nigerian-made products,” Mr. Halilu said.
“Government is a major buyer of goods and services, and this move will translate into increased demand across key sectors.”
Describing the policy as “forward-thinking and revolutionary,” Mr. Halilu noted that NASENI has long championed local content through its own initiatives.
He highlighted products developed by the agency, ranging from Nigerian-assembled vehicles and energy systems to smart irrigation tools and electronic devices, as evidence of the quality and competitiveness of local manufacturing.
He further referenced NASENI’s ongoing Made-in-Nigeria Strategic Focus Group meetings held across the country, aimed at driving awareness and understanding of consumer attitudes toward local products.
These forums bring together experts, regulators, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and civil society actors to identify challenges and promote solutions for increasing local patronage.
“We are determined to be at the forefront of implementing the President’s vision,” Mr. Halilu stated. “But this is also a call to action for local producers.
“It is not enough to enjoy policy support, quality and standards must never be compromised.
“We must deliver products that compete favourably with imports and meet the needs of Nigerian consumers.”
NASENI, mandated to develop Nigeria’s science and engineering infrastructure, has been engaging stakeholders across states including Katsina, Lagos, Anambra, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, and Ogun to boost innovation, address manufacturing challenges, and encourage the adoption of homegrown solutions.
President Tinubu’s “Nigeria First Policy” directs the BPP to implement procurement reforms that prioritize local content and maintain a register of qualified Nigerian manufacturers and service providers.
Mr. Halilu concluded by affirming NASENI’s readiness to lead the charge: “We have seen the capacity and competence of our local manufacturers.
“They are ready. With the right support, we can achieve true industrialization powered by Nigerian solutions.”
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