NAIROBI, Kenya – In a strategic move to strengthen its presence in East Africa, Microsoft has announced an important partnership with G42, an artificial intelligence firm based in the United Arab Emirates.
The partnership aims to invest $1 billion to establish a cutting-edge data center in Kenya powered by renewable geothermal energy and water conservation technology as part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to expand its cloud computing services across the region.
“We are thrilled to partner with G42 on this transformative project,” said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft.
“This investment not only reaffirms our commitment to Africa but also highlights the potential of Kenya as a hub for technological innovation. Together, we aim to empower every person and organization in East Africa to achieve more.”
Peng Xiao, CEO of G42, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Our collaboration with Microsoft is a testament to our shared vision of harnessing technology to drive progress and improve lives.
The new data center will serve as a catalyst for digital transformation in the region, and we are excited to be part of this journey.”
The new data center is set to become a cornerstone of technological advancement in East Africa, providing state-of-the-art cloud services to businesses and government entities.
Microsoft’s investment underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing digital infrastructure and promoting innovation across the continent.
G42, known for its expertise in AI and cloud computing, brings a wealth of knowledge and technological prowess to the partnership.
The collaboration is expected to leverage G42’s advanced AI capabilities and Microsoft’s robust cloud platform, Azure, to offer a comprehensive suite of services, including AI-driven analytics, IoT solutions, and enterprise-grade security.
The investment is anticipated to have a significant economic impact, creating numerous job opportunities and promoting a conducive environment for tech startups and established businesses alike.
The data center will enhance data sovereignty, ensuring that sensitive information remains within regional borders, and provide reliable and scalable cloud solutions to support the growing digital economy.
This is not Microsoft’s first venture into Kenya’s digital economy. The company established the African Development Centre (ADC) in Nairobi, which has been operational since 2019.
