Vertiv has signed a multi-year agreement with Nxtra by Airtel Africa to design, build, and support large-scale data centres across the continent. The partnership begins in Nigeria with a 42 MW facility and will expand into other Airtel markets, marking a major step in strengthening Africa’s digital infrastructure.
A Strategic Partnership to Power Growth
The first project under the deal is a 42 MW hyperscale facility in Nigeria. It will be built in four phases and is scheduled for completion in 2028. Vertiv will provide critical infrastructure, including thermal management systems, UPS solutions, batteries, commissioning, handover, and five years of on-site support through its local Nigerian service team.
This agreement will roll out over three years, with additional sites planned in other key Airtel markets such as Kenya. Some of these sites are expected to be even larger than the Nigerian facility.
Giovanni Di Filippo, President of Vertiv EMEA, described the partnership as “a commitment to enabling digital transformation in one of the fastest-growing connectivity markets in the world.”
Strengthening Africa’s Digital Backbone
Africa’s demand for data capacity is surging as cloud adoption, AI, fintech, and streaming accelerate. Data centres are becoming a critical infrastructure to support this growth. By partnering with Vertiv, Nxtra is positioning itself as a central player in meeting the region’s infrastructure needs.
Vertiv’s local presence is a key factor in the deal. Its service teams and supply chain capabilities in Nigeria and beyond offer Nxtra operational stability and long-term maintenance support, reducing reliance on imports or offshore contractors.
Navigating Local Constraints
While the partnership signals progress, data centre expansion in Africa faces challenges. Power remains one of the biggest hurdles. Unstable grids, high energy costs, and the need for sustainable backup solutions could impact operational timelines.
Regulatory differences across markets will also require careful adaptation. Land acquisition, connectivity infrastructure, and permitting processes can vary significantly between countries, adding complexity to large-scale builds.
A New Phase for the Continent’s Infrastructure
The Vertiv–Nxtra deal is a strategic bet on Africa’s digital future. It combines scale, long-term investment, and local execution capacity to support the region’s accelerating digital transformation.
As more businesses, governments, and innovators demand reliable infrastructure, projects like this will shape how Africa builds and manages its digital economy.
