Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company, has recently unveiled the first phase of its new Tier 3+ data center in Limuru, a strategic move aimed at enhancing the reliability and efficiency of its services, particularly the widely used mobile money platform, M-PESA.
The Limuru data center is designed to bolster the stability and resilience of services like M-PESA, enabling the platform to handle a higher volume of transactions per second seamlessly. Joshua Ogoti, the Principal Engineer overseeing the project, emphasized the tangible benefits for end users: “A customer gets stability and resilience for services like M-PESA, whereby they can be able to do many more transactions per second seamlessly.” This means that whether you’re paying for groceries, sending money to family, or running a business, M-PESA transactions will be quicker and less prone to interruptions — a critical upgrade in a country where mobile money is a lifeline for millions.
Situated in the cooler climate of Limuru, the data center’s location contributes to improved energy efficiency. The facility boasts a Power Utilization Effectiveness (PUE) of 1.35, making it one of the most energy-efficient data centers in Africa. Additionally, it is equipped with a 200 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic plant, with plans to scale up to 2 MWp, underscoring Safaricom’s commitment to sustainability.
Future expansion plans
The Limuru data center is part of Safaricom’s broader strategy to construct three Tier 3+ data centers as it transitions into a leading technology company by 2030. This is the first of three planned facilities aimed at meeting Kenya’s growing digital demands. Designed to handle vast amounts of data with an uptime of 99.982%, it ensures that Safaricom’s services remain robust even during peak usage.
Ogoti also highlighted the automation built into the system, noting that “customers can be able to make queries as well as get solutions at the touch of a button.” This user-friendly feature means faster resolutions to issues, reducing the frustration of downtime or slow service. Whether it’s checking a balance or troubleshooting a failed transaction, the data center’s advanced infrastructure empowers customers with near-instant support.
For end-users, the new data center translates to more reliable and efficient services. Whether making payments via M-PESA, browsing the internet, or accessing various digital services like WhatsApp, customers can expect improved performance and reduced downtime. Small business owners can process payments without hiccups, families can stay connected without lag, and Kenya’s digital economy can thrive with a backbone built for the future.
As Esther Karuga, Senior Manager at the facility, put it, “We play in the same league with Google and Microsoft.” With this world-class infrastructure, Safaricom is ensuring that its customers experience the speed and reliability they deserve — right at their fingertips.
