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Airtel Kenya has announced plans to enter the home fiber market in response to rising demand for high-speed internet across the country. The move is part of a wider digital expansion strategy that includes a $150 million investment in a state-of-the-art data centre at Tatu City, outside Nairobi.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the project took place on Tuesday, with Airtel executives stressing that the new facility will serve both enterprise customers and residential users. The data centre will be built by Nxtra Data Centre, Airtel Africa’s digital infrastructure arm, and is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Speaking at the event, Yashnath Issur, Chief Executive Officer of Nxtra Data Centre at Airtel Africa, said the new project goes beyond providing extra capacity. He explained that the focus is on sustainability, security, and resilience to ensure customers enjoy a stable environment that supports next-generation technologies.
“Beyond capacity, our focus is on sustainability and resilience, enabling customers to fully leverage next-generation technologies in a secure environment,” Issur said.
For years, Airtel Kenya has relied on its Smartbox fixed wireless access device for home connectivity. The device comes with indoor coverage enhancements and a built-in battery backup system to provide stable connections. However, with growing demand for faster speeds to power remote work, e-learning, and streaming services, the company is now shifting attention to fiber-to-the-home solutions.
Industry observers say the decision signals Airtel Kenya’s determination to take a bigger share of the country’s competitive telecom market. Safaricom, the dominant player, has maintained a strong lead in mobile and home internet services, while other operators such as Jamii Telecom and Zuku also control significant market share in the home fiber segment.
By investing in both fiber rollout and advanced data centre infrastructure, Airtel Kenya hopes to attract more urban households looking for faster and more reliable broadband options. The company believes that a robust digital backbone is critical to support Kenya’s rapidly expanding internet economy, which depends heavily on streaming, cloud services, fintech platforms, and e-commerce.
The Tatu City data centre is expected to provide enhanced support for businesses, government agencies, and multinational firms seeking secure hosting solutions in Kenya. It will also improve Airtel’s ability to deliver enterprise services, cloud computing, and storage solutions.
Airtel Kenya has in recent years expanded its mobile internet coverage, customer service platforms, and retail presence, but progress in the home internet segment has been slow compared to its rivals. Market analysts point out that Airtel’s market share has only recorded marginal growth, a challenge the new investment is designed to address.
According to ICT experts, the new fiber project will not only deepen competition in the market but also increase internet affordability for households and small businesses. With more providers offering fiber-to-the-home, prices could fall further, making broadband accessible to more Kenyans.
The shift also aligns with Kenya’s national digital agenda, which prioritises broadband connectivity as a key driver of economic growth. Faster internet is seen as essential to powering digital learning, online businesses, financial inclusion, and innovation in technology hubs across the country.
The $150 million data centre is expected to be one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in East Africa once completed. It will play a crucial role in Airtel Africa’s long-term ambition to strengthen digital infrastructure across its 14 operating countries.
Analysts believe that Airtel’s aggressive push into the fiber market shows its willingness to compete beyond mobile services. The company is betting on the fast-growing demand for home broadband, which is being driven by lifestyle changes, population growth in urban areas, and the need for stable internet for daily activities.
When completed in 2027, the project is expected to create jobs during construction and operation, while also boosting Kenya’s position as a digital hub in the region.
