Airtel Africa has said that its NXTra data centre project in Nigeria will provide jobs for over 1000 Nigerians.
Segun Ogunsanya, the Group Chief Executive Officer at Airtel Africa revealed this during the groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Lagos recently.
Speaking on the massive job opportunities to be created, he said, “This mega project will provide over 1000 jobs. More significantly, once deployed and at capacity, it will create over 250 permanent jobs for Nigerians whilst supporting companies in manufacturing, financial services, and health care as they move their data and computing into third-party data centres like ours.
“Ultimately, we have to store data and content closer to where it is being consumed,” Ogunsanya said.
According to him, the Nxtra project marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey and is a cornerstone of the organization’s growth strategy, with a particular focus on Nigeria, its largest market.
He noted that the project will enhance data sovereignty, security, and preservation within the continent. Ogunsanya stated that the data centre also reflects the group’s commitment to make Nigeria a major hub for access to digital services as it propels Africa towards a sustainable and inclusive digital age.
Also speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani extolled the revolutionary opportunities ahead for business and the economy in a future driven by connectivity via data centres such as NXtra and powered by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) that the future of business.
“Data is a key driver in our economy. Not only do we need to connect our people, we also must invest in the digital economy, and through the investment that companies like Airtel have made in our economy, we are fully able to participate in the digital economy,” he said.
On his part, the Lagos State Governor,
Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the event is not merely the construction of a facility, but the dawn of a new era in data control, security, and preservation throughout Africa.
The Governor said the data centre, anticipated to commence operations by the third quarter of 2025, will not only symbolise Nigeria’s progress but also serve as a crucial pillar in realising digital aspirations.
He said, “This initiative resonates with my administration’s goal of making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, and I welcome this collaboration between Airtel Africa and the Lagos State government towards achieving a transformative digital leap for Nigeria.
“This Data Centre, with its substantial capacity, will unlock vast potential across various sectors – from nurturing innovation in tech startups to enhancing government service efficiency. It will generate employment, attract investments, and position Lagos as a premier digital hub in Africa.
“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony marks not just the commencement of construction but the initiation of a new narrative. It is a narrative propelled by collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to a prosperous digital future.” He added.