Airtel Africa Announces the Construction of First Data Center in Lagos

Airtel Africa has been making positive waves on the continent. First, it was the towers built in Tanzania, now it’s the construction of a data center in Lagos. The center is called the Nxtra Data Center Project. 

The project is expected to provide job opportunities for more than 1,000 Nigerians. This is a great relief to many Nigerians because of the hardship many have experienced from the economic collapse. 

Airtel Africa Launch Nxtra Data-Center In Lagos

Airtel Africa is set to kick off the construction by hosting a ceremony to celebrate the initiative. Many dignitaries have been invited to the said ceremony, including, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun and so many more. 

This shows how important and impressive this project is. The project is expected to be executed in the first quarter of 2026. 

According to Airtel Africa’s CEO, Segun Ogunsanya, “NXtra is a critical next step towards unlocking greater opportunities for businesses to grow and help drive prosperity across Africa. As a company, we are proud to deliver another vital infrastructure to bring the benefits of technology closer to Africans.”

“We strongly believe that the establishment of NXtra Data Centers 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 finally said.

The Nxtra Data Center Lagos would provide 38 megawatts of power and is set to operate with a remarkable 1.3 PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness) and a high density rank. 

Airtel Africa Fuels The Economic Growth Of The Continent

This development not only highlights the innovative spirit the company has, but also shows the commitment it has to meeting the needs of the continent in terms of the telecommunications sector. The recent innovations from Airtel will allow it to be part of the businesses pushing Africa’s digital economy forward. 

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said at the ceremony, “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 Centers and over 48 Edge Data Centers, NXtra is poised to redefine data storage and accessibility in Africa.”

Opportunities Nxtra Data Center Gives Nigerians

It is noted that data is one of the factors that motivate innovative spirits, as it gives users opportunities to exploit unknown grounds, mold them, and utilize them for the good of the community. With the project on the ground, it gives Nigerians the opportunity to learn and make use of information to make their environment better. 

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, also present at the ceremony, praised the transformative potential that awaits the business and economic sectors in a future propelled by connectivity through data centers like NXtra and fueled by technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) that will shape the face of business.

He said, “A major force behind our economy is data. In addition to connecting our people, we also need to invest in the digital economy. We can fully engage in the digital economy because businesses like Airtel have invested in our economy.”