Kenya’s tech scene is booming, and at the heart of this growth lies a crucial infrastructure: data centres.

These secure facilities, housing vast networks of servers and storage systems, are the backbone of the digital world, underpinning everything from mobile banking to online shopping.

According to Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and The Digital Economy Data Centre Standard Act 2019, “Data center is home to the computational power, storage, and applications necessary to supportan enterprise business. The data center infrastructure is central to the IT architecture, from which all content is sourced or passes through. Proper planning of the data center infrastructure design is critical, and performance, resiliency, and scalability need to be carefully considered.”

Connecting a Nation

Kenya boasts a vibrant data centre landscape, with Nairobi emerging as the regional hub. Major players like Africa Data Centres, IXAfrica, Linx Nairobi, Icolo, and PAIX Kenya offer state-of-the-art facilities that meet international standards. These centres provide vital connectivity, hosting the servers that power local and regional internet services, cloud computing platforms, and digital financial services.

Dan Kwach, Regional Executive – East Africa Region at Africa Data Centres in Forbes Kenya Magazine 2023 noted, “E-commerce in Kenya has surged, particularly when it comes to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) . This is fueling a demand for more data centers in the region and will continue to do so for some time.”

Unlocking Economic Potential

Data centres play a crucial role in driving Kenya’s economic growth. They create jobs, attract foreign investment, and enable local businesses to compete globally. By storing and processing data locally, companies can reduce latency and improve efficiency, while also ensuring data security and compliance with Kenyan regulations.

Key principles of Data Centre Standards Act 2019:

• Flexibility and scalability: The data center should be able to adapt to changing needs and workloads. This includes considerations for site location, building selection, floor layout, and modularity.
• Reliability and availability: The data center must be highly reliable and available to ensure uninterrupted government operations. This involves redundancy in power, cooling, and network infrastructure.
• Security: The data center must be secure from physical and cyber threats. This includes robust physical security measures, access control systems, and data encryption.
• Energy efficiency: The data center should be designed and operated to minimize energy consumption. This can be achieved through efficient cooling systems, power management strategies, and the use of renewable energy sources.
• Sustainability: The data center should be designed and operated with environmental considerations in mind. This includes minimizing water usage, reducing waste, and using recycled materials.

Boosting Innovation

The availability of reliable data centres fosters a climate of innovation. With access to secure cloud platforms and high-speed internet, Kenyan entrepreneurs and startups can develop cutting-edge solutions in areas like fintech, healthcare, and agriculture. This, in turn, creates new opportunities and improves the lives of millions across the nation.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Despite the progress, Kenya’s data centre sector faces challenges. Power outages and limited fibre optic infrastructure remain hurdles. Investing in renewable energy sources and expanding fibre optic networks is crucial for ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.

However, it is worth noting that power and network and power redundancy is a vital need for these data centres. TechMoran has toured three data centres in Kenya namely: Icolo, Paix and Africa Data Centres and for sure these data centres prioritize network and power redundancy.

Also, green power is taking a leap in the Kenya’s data centres stage. The three named data centres have laid solar panels to compliment the main source of power from the Kenya Power and Lighting Company {KPLC}.

Kenyans should be glad that Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019, is a landmark piece of legislation that empowers them to control their personal information and ensures responsible data handling by organizations. The following are responsibilities of data controllers and processors

• Registration: Organizations that process personal data above certain thresholds must register with the Data Protection Commissioner.
• Data Protection Impact Assessments: For high-risk data processing activities, organizations must conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments to identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Data Breach Notifications: Organizations must report data breaches to the Data Protection Commissioner and affected individuals within specified timeframes.

The Data Protection Commissioner has the power to investigate complaints, issue compliance notices, and impose fines of up to Sh5 million or imprisonment for non-compliance.