• Airtel Africa has partnered with Vertiv to deploy high-capacity data centers, starting in Nigeria before expanding across Africa.
• Vertiv will provide thermal management, UPS systems, and five-year maintenance services as part of a three-year rollout.
• The deal strengthens Airtel’s data center subsidiary Nxtra by Airtel Africa, which is building major facilities in Kenya and Nigeria.

Airtel Africa has partnered with U.S.-based infrastructure solutions provider Vertiv as part of its strategy to expand into Africa’s fast-growing data center market, the telecom operator announced on October 14, 2025.

The collaboration will begin in Nigeria and extend gradually across the continent, reinforcing Airtel’s ambitions to become a leading digital infrastructure player in Africa.

Vertiv said it will deliver thermal management systems and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) solutions with battery backup to Airtel’s Nigerian facilities, initiating a three-year deployment plan across Africa. The company will also handle commissioning, facility handover, and five years of maintenance services, supported by its existing Nigerian team.

“As we invest into high capacity, high quality data centres for Africa, it was crucial to partner with a vendor who combines global capabilities with strong local presence,” said Yash Issur, Managing Director of Nxtra by Airtel Africa. “Vertiv’s multinational expertise, paired with their established African service network, gives us the reliability and support we need.”

Airtel Africa launched its Nxtra by Airtel Africa subsidiary in December 2023, marking its formal entry into the regional data center segment. The group aims to build a network of large-scale facilities in major African cities where it operates.

Active in 14 African markets, Airtel is targeting corporate clients, startups, SMEs, and governments seeking secure, integrated data solutions amid accelerating digital transformation.

In September 2025, Airtel began construction on a 44 MW data center at Tatu City, near Nairobi, one month after starting work on a 38 MW facility in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.

Airtel’s expansion mirrors that of rival MTN, which announced in September it was seeking U.S. and European partners to develop AI-focused data centers on the continent. Safaricom has also expressed interest in similar projects.

This competition comes amid a limited data center supply in Africa. As of mid-2023, the continent accounted for less than 2% of global colocation capacity, with more than half located in South Africa, according to the Oxford Business Group’s “Data Centres in Africa” report (April 2024).

The report estimated Africa needs 1,000 MW of additional capacity and 700 new facilities to meet rising demand. The GSMA projects a $622 billion opportunity in global B2B cloud and data center services by 2030, underscoring the scale of potential growth.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi 

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum