iXAfrica to expand Nairobi data centre capacity by 20MW after RMB financing

iXAfrica Data Centre has secured a multi-tranche financing package from Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) to expand its Nairobi campus.

The undisclosed funding will support the construction of an additional 20 megawatts (MW) of IT power at the facility, building on the first phase of 2.25 MW already in service.

The project will boost iXAfrica’s total design capacity at its Nairobi One Campus to 22.5 MW, and the company says this will make it the largest hyperscale data centre project in East Africa.

“Closing this financing with RMB secures our next phase of growth and positions us to welcome more hyperscale and AI customers,” iXAfrica Chairman Guy Willner said.

RMB, a division of FirstRand Limited, developed a tailored solution for iXAfrica in what both parties described as the beginning of a new relationship.

Carrie Cronje, Senior Transactor at RMB, said the backing reflects the bank’s focus on Africa’s fast-growing digital infrastructure sector.

“This transaction reflects RMB’s commitment to supporting scalable, high-impact digital infrastructure across Africa,” Cronje said.

iXAfrica describes itself as East Africa’s first hyperscale, carrier-neutral, AI-ready data centre and a key hub for cloud, colocation, and connectivity services in the region.

The Nairobi campus is located near major fibre communication arteries and resilient electricity connections and is designed to support high-density AI workloads of up to 40kW per rack using free-air cooling technology.

iXAfrica estimates its campus serves a regional market of over 300 million people.

RMB, which operates in 35 African countries, has positioned the deal as part of its broader strategy to back digital transformation projects across the continent.