The Nxtra by Airtel data center is a cornerstone of the company’s new data center venture, Nxtra.

This project is expected to generate over 1,000 jobs in Nigeria, with 250 permanent positions created upon completion.

The news was announced by Segun Ogunsanya, Group CEO of Airtel Africa, during a groundbreaking ceremony held in Lagos.

The state-of-the-art facility boasts a targeted capacity of 38 megawatts and will utilize high-density racks built with cutting-edge practices to achieve an impressive Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.3. Completion is slated for the first quarter of 2026.

Ogunsanya emphasized the transformative nature of the Nxtra project for Airtel Africa, particularly in Nigeria, their largest market.

He highlighted Nxtra’s role in enhancing data sovereignty, security, and preservation across the continent. This initiative aligns with Airtel’s vision of establishing Nigeria as a central hub for digital service access.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu echoed Ogunsanya’s sentiments, suggesting the Nxtra project ushers in a new era for data control and security in Africa.

Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, also underscored the project’s potential to propel the nation’s economy and businesses in the coming era driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers like Nxtra.

He emphasized the critical role data plays in Nigeria’s economic landscape, underlining the importance of investing in the digital economy and commending Airtel’s commitment to this vision.