Airtel Expands Digital Footprint with New Data Centers in Africa

Airtel Africa is making a huge stride to place itself at the heart of Africa’s digital economy. The telecom giant has revealed that it will establish big Airtel data centers in Nigeria and Kenya, an expansionist strategy aimed at boosting local data processing and driving the continent’s digital growth.

Speaking at the 2025 Mobile World Congress in Kigali, Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar confirmed that Airtel Africa would invest significantly in these new data centres. He said the facilities will also act as regional hubs for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and fintech innovation — sectors that are quickly defining Africa’s economic future.

“Africa’s future telecoms revolution will ride on partnerships, artificial intelligence and data centres,” Taldar stated, highlighting that these pillars are critical to boost productivity and sustain growth.

Building Africa’s Digital Backbone

The future Airtel data centers are to facilitate smarter networks and financial systems in addition to creating opportunities for local innovators and developers. Taldar explained that Airtel’s dream is to make Africa a continent where “data is processed locally, talent is developed nationally, and innovation is scaled globally.”

Nigeria, Africa’s biggest telecoms market by subscription base, and Kenya, a leader in digital adoption and fintech innovation, were chosen as the first hosts for the new hubs. The dual location positions Airtel at two strategic nodes of the African digital value chain.

According to Taldar, “Africa’s digital decade has begun. The continent that once leapfrogged into mobile telephony is now set to leap again — into a future where every byte of data drives productivity and every connection generates prosperity.”

He also revealed that Airtel is already leveraging AI throughout its operations to detect SMS spam, prevent mobile money fraud, and optimize energy usage at tower sites.

Partnerships Forging the Digital Future

Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, as he opened the conference, praised Africa’s remarkable digital progress. He urged governments and businesses to increase collaboration, particularly in cross-border payments and data governance.

“Africa’s challenges are real, but also offer huge opportunities for growth if we act together,” Kagame said. “The future we must build is an Africa that is ambitious, connected and competitive.”.

As Africa continues to undergo its digital revolution, Airtel data centers can only be the beginning of a more powerful and innovative ecosystem yet — one where connectivity ignites creativity, and infrastructure drives inclusion.