A data centre firm based in Kenya has been selected to host the first Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) region in the country.
In a press release issued on January 27, 2026, iXAfrica Data Centre Limited announced it will collaborate with Oracle as the host partner for the multinational’s OCI region in Nairobi.
The public cloud region was first announced by President William Ruto in January 2024 and is aimed at meeting growing demand for cloud and AI services in Kenya and the wider East and Central Africa region.
iXAfrica said Oracle’s decision reflects its position as the country’s most execution-ready hyperscale data centre, designed to global cloud standards and capable of supporting large-scale deployments immediately.
“We are delighted to be in execution mode to bring OCI to Kenya,” said Snehar Shah, CEO of iXAfrica. “With this collaboration, iXAfrica is leveraging the renewable energy, talent, and abundant submarine and national connectivity available in our market.”
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Region in Kenya
The Nairobi OCI region will allow organisations to host data locally, deploy latency-sensitive applications, and develop AI-powered services closer to end users.
According to iXAfrica, hosting OCI within Kenya will strengthen data sovereignty, resilience, and global competitiveness by anchoring critical digital infrastructure within the country.
Oracle, on its part, said the collaboration will support both public- and private-sector digital transformation, building on its existing footprint in Kenya.
The multinational’s Country Leader for Kenya David Bunei said:
“Around the world, governments and enterprises rely on OCI for its security, scalability, and ability to run mission-critical workloads that enable innovation at scale. These unique capabilities and our collaboration with iXAfrica will further support the growth of the country’s digital economy.”
The announcement comes as iXAfrica advances construction of power and connectivity infrastructure at its Nairobi One Campus, which has an overall design capacity of 22.5MW, making it the largest data centre project in the greater East African region.
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The facility is carrier-neutral, AI-ready, and capable of supporting high-density workloads of up to 50 kW per rack, while drawing on Kenya’s predominantly renewable electricity mix.
About iXAfrica
Founded by Guy Willner and Clément Martineau, iXAfrica is a leading developer and operator of hyperscale-ready data centres in East Africa.
The company is headquartered in Nairobi and operates with a focus on delivering carrier-neutral, AI-ready infrastructure to support large-scale cloud deployments.
At the core of iXAfrica’s operations is its flagship NBOX1 campus on Mombasa Road, a 4.3-acre facility with a planned total capacity of 22.5 megawatts.
The campus has been designed to global cloud standards, with resilient power architecture, advanced cooling systems, and support for high-density workloads, including artificial intelligence applications running at up to 50 kilowatts per rack.
In addition to its Nairobi presence, the company is expanding its footprint through a second campus in Tilisi, approximately 30 kilometres north of Nairobi.
The 11-acre NBOX2 campus is planned to deliver up to 53 megawatts of capacity, underscoring iXAfrica’s long-term strategy to scale hyperscale infrastructure in line with regional demand.
Oracle’s decision to partner with iXAfrica reflects the data centre’s execution readiness, connectivity, and energy profile.
Kenya’s electricity grid is powered by more than 90 per cent renewable energy, aligning with global cloud providers’ sustainability goals. iXAfrica also employs energy-efficient technologies, including Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure platform, to enhance operational efficiency.
The company has attracted significant backing from international financiers. Africa-focused private equity firm Helios Investment Partners invested an initial $50 million in growth capital and acquired a majority stake in iXAfrica in 2022.
Rand Merchant Bank also provided additional multi-tranche debt financing to support a 20-megawatt expansion of the Nairobi campus. Overall, iXAfrica has raised up to $200 million in equity and debt funding to date.
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Beyond infrastructure, the company offers colocation services, low-latency connectivity, and managed services, including migration support and bespoke data hall builds. Strategic partnerships with Safaricom and the London Internet Exchange (LINX).
Meeting with President Ruto
The collaboration builds on Oracle’s commitment made in early 2024, when President Ruto announced the multinational technology firm’s plans to establish a public cloud region in Nairobi. At the time, Oracle executives met the Head of State and then ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, citing Kenya’s renewable energy capacity and strong digital connectivity as key factors.
“We are delighted to see Oracle planning such an important investment in Kenya,” President Ruto said in January 2024, noting that the move would support job creation and the adoption of advanced technologies such as cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Oracle said the Nairobi region would support government institutions, enterprises, startups, universities, and investors.
Globally, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure operates dozens of public cloud regions across multiple continents, offering a consistent suite of cloud services ranging from databases and compute to AI and high-performance workloads.
The Nairobi region will extend this global network into East Africa, positioning Kenya as a strategic cloud and data hub for the continent.
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