Vertiv, a provider of critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has announced an extended collaboration with Airtel Africa through its data centre division, Nxtra, to build a 42-megawatt (MW) high-capacity data centre in Nigeria, a project that marks the first phase of Nxtra’s broader expansion across Africa.
The new facility, which will be rolled out in four phases and expected to be fully operational by 2028, represents the starting point in Nxtra’s strategic plan to establish one of the continent’s largest data centre networks.
The network will span major African cities, leveraging Nxtra’s extensive operational experience from India and Vertiv’s global expertise in thermal management and power solutions.
According to the company, under the agreement, Vertiv will supply thermal management systems and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems with batteries to ensure energy efficiency, scalability, and reliability across Nxtra’s new infrastructure.
The company will also handle commissioning, handover, and provide five years of maintenance services supported by its established Nigerian service team, ensuring consistent local support and long-term operational stability.
President of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Vertiv, Karsten Winther described the partnership as a natural extension of a long-standing relationship between the two companies.
“Nxtra has been a valued customer for nearly three decades,” Winther said. “This next chapter in our collaboration demonstrates the power of combining local support in Africa with international manufacturing and innovation.”
For Airtel Africa, the partnership underscores its commitment to deepening digital infrastructure investments that will underpin the continent’s fast-growing data economy.
“As we invest into high-capacity, high-quality data centres for Africa, it was crucial to partner with a vendor who combines global capabilities with strong local presence,” said Chief Executive Officer of Nxtra by Airtel Africa Yash Issur.
“Vertiv’s multinational expertise and established service network in Africa provide the reliability and support we need. We’re pleased to name Vertiv as a main vendor for our first project in Nigeria and extend our collaboration from India to Africa.”
Vertiv’s Managing Director for Africa, Wojtek Piorko noted that the partnership reflects a shared vision to meet the region’s surging data needs.
“Africa’s growing, data-hungry population is a key driver of digital growth on the continent, and more data centres are required to meet this demand,” he said. “Our collaboration with Nxtra marks an important milestone in strengthening Africa’s critical digital infrastructure. Together, we are bringing proven global expertise and advanced technology into Nigeria and beyond.”
Beyond Nigeria, Vertiv and Nxtra are already exploring additional projects across Airtel Africa’s operating markets, with a forthcoming facility in Nairobi, Kenya, expected to surpass the Nigerian site in scale.
Industry analysts say the partnership could be a significant catalyst for Africa’s digital transformation, expanding access to reliable data storage, reducing latency, and strengthening regional connectivity. With data consumption and cloud adoption accelerating across the continent, the Vertiv-Nxtra collaboration is expected to play a central role in building the backbone of Africa’s next-generation digital economy.
