Leading telecommunications service provider Airtel Africa officially embarked on a construction of its first data centre in Lagos, Nigeria.
Nxtra by Airtel is set to be one of the largest networks of data centres in Africa, with high-capacity data centres in major cities located strategically across Airtel Africa’s footprint, complementing its existing edge sites.
Present at the ground-breaking ceremony of the new data centre was Airtel Africa’s outgoing Group Chief Executive Officer, Segun Ogunsanya and his successor, Sunil Taldar and other key dignitaries and industry leaders including Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani; Heads of Federal and State Ministries and parastatals, and Members of the National and State Assemblies, among others.
Speaking during the event, Group Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Africa, Segun Ogunsanya, said the Nxtra project marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey and is a cornerstone of the organization’s growth strategy, with a particular focus on Nigeria, its largest market.
“We strongly believe that the establishment of NXtra Data Centres will enhance data sovereignty, security, and preservation within the continent, reflecting our commitment to make Nigeria a major hub for access to digital services as we propel Africa towards a sustainable and inclusive digital age,” he said.
Ogunsanya added that the mega project will provide over 1000 jobs.
Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the NXtra Frontier is not merely the construction of a facility, but the dawn of a new era in data control, security, and preservation throughout Africa.
“Airtel’s commitment to the highest standards in data management, technological innovation, and extensive network infrastructure is truly commendable. With a total capacity of 180
MW distributed across 13 major Data Centres and over 48 Edge Data Centres, NXtra is poised to redefine data storage and accessibility in Africa”, said Sanwo-Olu.
The Nxtra by Airtel data centre in Lagos will deliver 38 megawatts of total power and host high density racks that integrate the latest best practice construction to achieve 1.3 power usage effectiveness.
It is expected to be live by the first quarter of 2026.
