Kenya strengthens digital infrastructure with tour of iColo Data Center in Mombasa

The Principal Secretary of the State Department of ICT and Digital Economy, John Kipchumba Tanui, has toured iColo.IO's state-of-the-art data center in Nyali, Mombasa. Guided by Facility Manager Charles Mutembei, Eng. Tanui witnessed firsthand how the facility, established in 2020, has positioned itself as a key player in Africa’s growing digital economy.

iColo.IO, a subsidiary of Digital Realty, has been instrumental in transforming Kenya’s digital landscape. Since its founding in 2015, the company has built a global presence, supporting thousands of cross-connections that link businesses and consumers to vital data services. The Nyali data center is strategically located to serve as a gateway for four of East Africa’s submarine landing cables, making it a crucial asset for Kenya’s global connectivity. In addition to its Nyali facility, iColo.IO operates another data center in Miritini, further enhancing its capacity to process and store data.

During the tour, Eng. Tanui praised the company’s efforts, particularly its integration of renewable energy in powering its facilities. “Data centers like iColo.IO are at the heart of today’s digital economy—storing, processing, and managing the data that drives everything from business operations to streaming services,” he said. “What’s even more impressive is that our expanding data center infrastructure is powered by Kenya’s renewable energy, showcasing our commitment to a green and sustainable digital future.”

The Principal Secretary noted that the robust digital infrastructure will drive innovation, job creation, and economic growth while attracting investment from tech companies and service providers seeking reliable data solutions.

He was accompanied on the tour by several key officials, including Ben Waweru, Director of Data Center and Cloud Services; Ken Abuje, Director of ICT; Rebecca Keli, Director of Partnerships and Liaison Services; and Alex Njeru, Assistant Director of Data Center and Cloud Services.

By:  Kanto Okanta