Vertiv, a global provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with Nxtra by Airtel Africa. This collaboration supports Nxtra’s ambitious initiative to develop one of the largest, most energy-efficient data centre networks across the African continent, beginning with a major deployment in Nigeria.
The partnership kicks off with the construction of a 42-megawatt (MW) data centre in Nigeria, which will be delivered in four phases and is expected to be fully operational by 2028. Vertiv will provide advanced thermal management systems, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units with batteries, and end-to-end commissioning and maintenance services. Vertiv’s local service team in Nigeria will oversee installation and provide five years of ongoing support to ensure optimal performance and minimal downtime.
Yash Issur, CEO of Nxtra by Airtel Africa, emphasized the importance of investing in large-scale, high-quality digital infrastructure to drive Africa’s digital transformation.
Partnering with a vendor that offers both global expertise and a strong local presence was essential. Vertiv’s proven track record in Africa, combined with its experience supporting Airtel projects in India, gives us confidence in their ability to deliver scalable and reliable infrastructure across our markets.
Karsten Winther, President of Vertiv for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), highlighted the longstanding relationship between Airtel and Vertiv, which spans nearly three decades. “This next chapter showcases the strength of combining local African support with global innovation,” he noted.
The agreement positions Vertiv as a key partner in Nxtra’s multi-country rollout, which will extend to Airtel Africa’s operations in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond. Wojtek Piorko, Managing Director of Vertiv Africa, described the partnership as a pivotal moment in reinforcing Africa’s digital backbone. He pointed to the continent’s rapidly growing, data-driven population as a major catalyst for infrastructure expansion.
Nxtra’s expansion comes at a time when Africa is experiencing unprecedented growth in data consumption, fueled by increased cloud adoption, the rise of fintech, and emerging AI workloads. In Nigeria alone, monthly internet traffic reached a record 1.1 million terabytes (1,100,000 TB) by July 2025, pushing the country’s total data centre capacity to approximately 136.7 MW.
Despite challenges such as rising energy costs and fluctuating internet subscription rates, the demand for robust digital infrastructure continues to accelerate. Nxtra’s upcoming facilities, including a planned mega-site in Nairobi expected to surpass the Nigerian project in scale, are being designed to meet global standards for sustainability, security, and performance.
