Microsoft to complete two data centers in Kenya, Nigeria

Microsoft says its two data centres to be located in Kenya and Nigeria will be completed in 5 years at a cost of 10 billion shillings.

The Africa Development Centres will see the American tech giant partner with local ICT innovators and higher learning institutions to create online content suitable for the region including gaming applications as it targets to increase its presence in the continent.

The Kenya and Nigeria Africa Development Centres will be Microsoft’s 7th global centres as the giant software company seeks to expand its global reach.

Under the programme Microsoft will also partner with local universities to create a modern intelligent edge and cloud curriculum, unique to Africa.

This as the global giant tech firm seeks to employ 100 full time software engineers’ by the end of this year and an additional 500 by the end of 2023 in the two centres.

Microsoft vice president Phil Spencer says the new venture will give local IT innovators an opportunity to create online content especially gaming content that has a wide audience globally, this in a bid to increase local developers market share.

Microsoft hopes the new multibillion venture will help bridge the digital divide in the continent and equip local university graduates with cutting edge ICT skills.