American tech company, Oracle Corporation on Wednesday, January 31 unveiled plans to establish a regional data center in Kenya, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion efforts in Africa.
This move comes as part of Oracle’s broader strategy to bolster its presence on the continent. At the same time, it wants to enhance its cloud services infrastructure.
The announcement was made during a meeting between Oracle executives, led by Senior Vice-President Scott Twaddle, President William Ruto and key Kenyan government officials including ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo and Principal Secretary John Tanui.
The meeting underscored the collaborative efforts between the private sector and the government to promote technological advancement and innovation in Kenya.
After the meeting, Kenyan President In a statement confirmed that the giant technology firm is seeking to set up it’s footprint in Africa.
“Kenya will continue to facilitate technology companies seeking to set up their footprints in Africa.
In line with the government’s strategy to lay 100,000km of fibre optic, provide digital jobs and digitise government services, Kenya continues to be a prime destination for international IT companies. Pleased to note that American company Oracle plans to set up a global data centre in Nairobi,” President Ruto stated
The upcoming data center in Kenya will be Oracle’s second in Africa, following its existing facility in South Africa. This expansion reflects Oracle’s commitment to providing localized cloud solutions. Likewise, it’s commitment to meet the growing demand for secure and reliable data storage and processing services in the region.
At the same time, the establishment of a regional data center in Kenya holds several implications for the local tech ecosystem and broader economy such as creating Job opportunities.
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American Firm Oracle to drive Opportunities in Kenya
The construction and operation of the data center are expected to create job opportunities. Those with skilled professionals in various fields, including engineering, IT infrastructure management, and cybersecurity. This aligns with Kenya’s efforts to address youth unemployment and foster skills development in the technology sector.
Likewise, the company will enhance data security and compliance. By hosting data locally, Oracle’s data center will help organizations in Kenya comply with data sovereignty regulations. It will also ensure data security and privacy. This is crucial for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, which handle sensitive information requiring stringent compliance measures.
Furthermore, the company will boost digital transformation. The company will provide Oracle’s cloud services through a local data center will accelerate digital transformation initiatives across industries by providing businesses with scalable and cost-effective infrastructure solutions. This will empower organizations to leverage advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics to drive innovation and improve operational efficiency.
Additionally, the company will improve economic growth and foreign investment in Kenya. Oracle’s investment in the regional data center signals confidence in Kenya’s business environment. Likewise it shows its potential as a hub for technology investment in East Africa. This move is likely to attract additional foreign investment and contribute to the country’s economic growth and digital transformation agenda.
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Oracle to Position Kenya as a Technology Regional Hub
American firm decision to establish a regional data center in Kenya marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards becoming a technology hub in Africa. This strategic investment not only strengthens Oracle’s footprint on the continent but also presents opportunities for local businesses. It also provides opportunities through job creation, and technological advancement.
Currently, Kenya continues to position itself as a leading destination for technology and innovation. Such collaborations between global tech giants like Oracle will play a crucial role in driving development and prosperity.
American firm, Oracle is ranked the third-largest software company in the world by revenue and market capitalization. The company sells database software and cloud computing.
