IX AFRICA
In addition to the construction of the campus itself , Martineau is working with the company ’ s startup-scale local team to build a culture that sets an example , not only to the African data centre industry , but the wider world as well . “ We ' re trying to empower African women with this project . Today , we have a team of six in Kenya , and we have a 50 / 50 balance between men and women . We want to keep on pushing for that kind of equality as much as possible as we grow and expand ,” he says . “ We know that this industry is governed and directed mostly by men , and IXAfrica is going to keep trying to reduce this imbalance as much as possible .”
IXAfrica is also directing time and resources towards CSR goals throughout the local community , investing in sports and culture in Nairobi , as well as hiring local artists to paint the outside of the campus ’ buildings - something Martineau hopes “ will bring a bit of colour to the place in a city that is largely dominated by a lot of grey concrete .”
Willner adds : “ There aren ' t many data centres that have won any architectural or design awards , and I think there ' s a lot we could be doing in the industry as a whole to make them look a bit more friendly to the eye .”
Investment in local communities and diverse workforce aren ’ t IXAfrica ’ s only goals for helping Kenya grow its digital economy in a sustainable fashion . As Willner explained before , by bringing the internet direct to Nairobi ’ s doorstep , NRB01 could have potentially impactful longterm benefits for things like talent retention and the city ’ s own startup ecosystem . “ The level of education in Kenya is so good that a lot of the talent here is actually poached away to the UK or the US ,” says Martineau . “ Hopefully , instead of those people with a level of education that makes them
“Hyperscalers and internet companies are only just beginning to build in South America and Sub- Saharan Africa ”
GUY WILLNER CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN , IXAFRICA
desirable overseas having to leave Kenya , we ' ll contribute to creating some more high-skill jobs here .”
Growing with the Region With the first phase of NRB01 slated to be up and running early next year , and further expansion phases planned beyond that , Willner and Martineau are already casting their eyes around Kenya and the regions beyond for further opportunities . With opportunity , however , comes competition .
78 August 2021