Kenya’s President William Ruto has announced a partnership with American tech giant Oracle Corporation to establish a global data centre in Nairobi, marking the second such centre in Africa after the establishment of one in South Africa.
President Ruto, while in Italy, revealed the government’s plan to make Kenya a preferred destination for international IT companies. The partnership with Oracle Corporation, a major player in the tech industry, shows the commitment to driving digital transformation across various sectors in Kenya.
The global data centre in Nairobi is expected to serve as a regional hub, contributing to the digital transformation of government agencies, public institutions, businesses, and startups in Kenya. Oracle’s Senior Vice-President, Scott Twaddle, participated in discussions with President Ruto, alongside Kenya’s ICT Cabinet Secretary, Eliud Owalo, and Principal Secretary John Tanui.
President Ruto spoke on his commitment to expanding Kenya’s digital infrastructure, including plans to lay at least 100,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables. This initiative aims to create digital jobs and enhance the digitisation of government services.
In August 2023, President Ruto announced that global investors had committed Ksh100 billion for the construction of Phase Two of the Konza Technopolis. In September, during a visit to San Francisco, he invited American technology firms to engage in strategic business partnerships with Kenya.
“I am persuaded that similarly, the most consequential breakthrough in technological innovation will take place on the East African Savannah when global tech leadership, together with foreign direct investment, converge upon Africa’s youthful human capital, natural resources, and green energy potential,” remarked President Ruto.
As part of efforts to transform Kenya into a digital hub, President Ruto has been actively seeking global funding to bolster Kenya’s technological sector. The government has established Jitume laboratories nationwide to provide digital skills training, and there are plans to develop Konza City into Africa’s technological hub, as part of Kenya’s transformation into a silicon savannah.
