Author: Akin Naphtal

Airtel Africa, through its datacentre subsidiary Nxtra by Airtel Africa, has officially begun construction on what is set to be East Africa’s largest datacentre, a $150 million facility in Kenya, as announced on September 15, 2025. The state-of-the-art datacentre, designed to support cloud computing, AI workloads, and enterprise-scale services, marks a significant step in bolstering the region’s digital infrastructure. The facility, with a planned power capacity of 44 megawatts (MW), will be developed in two phases of 22 MW each, with completion expected by the first quarter of 2027. The datacentre aims to meet growing demand for advanced digital services…

Tech giants Nvidia and OpenAI are planning to invest billions of dollars in developing advanced data centres in the United Kingdom, in collaboration with London-based data centre operator Nscale Global Holdings Ltd, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. The announcement coincides with an upcoming state visit by US President Donald Trump , highlighting the strategic importance of the initiative. The UK government will support the project by supplying energy for the new facilities, while OpenAI will provide access to its cutting-edge AI tools, and Nvidia will contribute its advanced semiconductor chips, known for powering AI and high-performance computing. This partnership…

Rwanda has etched its name in aviation history by conducting Africa’s first public flight of a self-flying passenger drone, cementing its position as a trailblazer in advanced air mobility on the continent. The landmark demonstration, held during the Africa Aviation Summit 2025 in Kigali, showcased the EHang EH216-S, a pilotless electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The event, attended by President Paul Kagame and senior government officials, featured the two-seat, fully electric drone soaring to an altitude of approximately 100 meters, navigating autonomously without an onboard pilot. This continental first for autonomous air taxis marks a significant milestone in…

Huawei, in collaboration with Knetco, has officially launched 5G Advanced technology in Kuwait, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s journey toward cutting-edge digital infrastructure. The deployment, spearheaded by Knetco as the primary implementer, aims to set new benchmarks for speed, connectivity, and smart infrastructure. The introduction of 5G Advanced is poised to revolutionize Kuwait’s technological landscape, enabling next-generation applications in smart cities, autonomous systems, AI-driven industries, and advanced digital services across both public and private sectors. This transformative technology is expected to enhance government services, streamline operations, and deliver innovative solutions to consumers. Khaled Samy Hall, CEO of Knetco,…

A new GSMA report, Driving Digital Transformation of the Economy in Ghana, projects that Ghana could inject an additional $3.4 billion into its economy by 2030 by fast-tracking digital reforms. Released this week in Accra, the report positions Ghana as a potential digital powerhouse in West Africa, with mobile connectivity and strategic policy changes poised to drive growth in agriculture, manufacturing, and public services. The report highlights that the mobile industry already contributes 8% of Ghana’s GDP (GHS 94 billion), but a 62% mobile usage gap persists despite near-universal 4G coverage. Angela Wamola, Head of Africa at GSMA, noted that…

Ericsson has appointed Sandile Dhlomo as the new head of its South Africa operations, effective immediately. Dhlomo, a seasoned telecoms expert with over 20 years of experience, will also join the leadership team for Ericsson’s West and Southern Africa region, led by Vice President Majda Lahlou Kassi. Dhlomo brings extensive expertise from senior roles across African markets, including Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. His appointment signals Ericsson’s commitment to strengthening its presence in South Africa, a key market for the telecom giant’s regional strategy. ALSO READ: IXAFRICA,RMB TO IMPROVE NAIROBI DATA CENTRE WITH MULTI-TRANCHE FUNDING “I am honored to lead…

IX Africa Data Centre Limited (iXAfrica) has secured a landmark multi-tranche funding package from Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), a division of FirstRand Limited, to fuel the next phase of its ambitious growth in East Africa. The financing will enable iXAfrica to expand its Nairobi data centre campus by adding 20 MW of IT power, addressing the region’s surging demand for digital infrastructure. Building on the success of its initial 2.25 MW phase already in operation, iXAfrica’s expansion will enhance its capacity to serve hyperscale and AI customers, solidifying its position as a key player in Africa’s digital ecosystem. The tailored…

Nokia has announced a strategic partnership with Extreme Broadband (EBB) and its subsidiary, Open DC, to modernize AI data centers across Malaysia. The collaboration aims to enhance performance, security, and scalability, positioning EBB and Open DC as leaders in the nation’s digital infrastructure landscape. The initiative supports Malaysia’s National Cloud Computing Policy and meets the stringent demands of the banking and financial services sector. Nokia will deploy its advanced Data Center Fabric, Data Center Gateway, and quantum-safe networking technologies, alongside energy-efficient 7250 and 7220 Interconnect Routers, to ensure sustainable, secure, and scalable data center operations. “This collaboration reflects our commitment…

VodafoneThree has teamed up with Community Fibre to bring high-speed full fibre broadband to underserved areas of London, addressing the city’s connectivity blackspots. This partnership will provide 550,000 homes across all London boroughs with access to faster, more reliable internet, offering greater choice to communities previously limited by outdated broadband technologies. The collaboration targets densely populated areas where residents have faced restricted options for upgrading to full fibre broadband. Unlike older Fibre To The Cabinet (FTTC) connections, which offer maximum speeds of 67Mbps download and 18Mbps upload, the VodafoneThree and Community Fibre network delivers speeds up to 2.2Gbps for both…

Digital Realty, the global leader in carrier-neutral data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions, has named Marcel Louw as its new Managing Director for Africa. Louw will spearhead strategic initiatives across Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Ghana, driving the expansion of Digital Realty’s PlatformDIGITAL® and reinforcing the company’s commitment to Africa’s digital transformation. He will report to Paula Cogan, Managing Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Louw brings over two decades of expertise in fund management and infrastructure investment. Since 2012, he has served as Investment Director at Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Managers. In this Africa-focused private equity fund manager, he…