The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, graced the groundbreaking ceremony of Airtel NXTRA Data Centre, held at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos. This state-of-the-art facility promises to be a pivotal player in the digital landscape, contributing significantly to Nigeria’s technological advancement.
The Nxtra by Airtel data centre, slated to be operational in the first quarter of 2026, boasts an impressive 38 megawatts of total power and cutting-edge high-density racks, aligning with best practice construction for an outstanding 1.3 power usage effectiveness (PUE). Notably, it will be the first of five hyperscale data centres developed by Airtel Africa on the continent, collectively offering an expansive 180-megawatt capacity across 13 major data centres and 48 edge data centres.
The strategic placement of these data centres, combined with Airtel Africa’s extensive fibre network, aims to provide secure and scalable integrated solutions to global hyper-scalers, large African enterprises, startups, SMEs, and governments. By addressing data sovereignty requirements and fostering local cloud services, Nxtra aims to elevate innovation and reduce the cost of managing data.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister Dr Bosun Tijani highlighted the transformative potential of data-driven connectivity and the role of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) in shaping the future of business and the economy. He emphasized the crucial role of data as a driver of economic growth and commended Airtel’s investment in advancing the digital economy.
Nxtra by Airtel is poised to become one of Africa’s largest networks of data centres, strategically positioned in major cities across Airtel Africa’s footprint. This initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to addressing the continent’s evolving data management needs and contributing to the rapid growth of the African digital economy.
The event, hosted by Airtel Africa’s outgoing Group CEO, Segun Ogunsanya, and his successor, Sunil Taldar, attracted a distinguished audience, including Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and key industry leaders. The ground-breaking ceremony marks a significant step towards a digitally empowered future for Nigeria and the broader African continent.