Bill Gates’s Firm to Build $1bn Data Centre in Another African Country After Closing Nigerian Office

• After closing down its African Centre in Lagos, Nigeria, Microsoft has declared an intention to site a $1 billion facility in Kenya
• The project, which will build a geothermal-powered data centre, is in partnership with G42, a leading AI firm
• The project is the first phase of a multi-year initiative to boost cloud computing capacity and services 

Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.

Microsoft, founded by billionaire businessman Bill Gates, and G42 are working together to build a $1 billion geothermal-powered data centre in Kenya.

G42 is a leading artificial intelligence company based in the United Arab Emirates.

Microsoft shuts Nigerian centre

This development comes after Microsoft shut down its Africa development centre in Nigeria, rendering about 200 people jobless.

Read also

Canada province needs workers, invites skilled Nigerians, offers N5m incentive to relocate

Reports say the project is the first phase of a multi-year initiative to boost cloud computing capacity and services in East Africa.

G42 will make the initial investment and construct the facility, which they will oversee in Olkaria.

The operation bypasses the issue of power outtakes in Africa, as Kenya is proven suitable for Microsoft’s climate goals.

The new project to produce 100MW

The project’s first phase will have a capacity of 100 megawatts and is expected to be operational in 2026.

Microsoft, G42, and Kenyal officials will sign a letter of intent on Friday, May 24, 2024.

Microsoft president Brad Smith said the new project is an important step toward deepening and embedding digital technology in the country’s future.

He said:

“This shows what G42 and Microsoft have the opportunity to do together that neither one of us could do separately. I frankly think it shows that what the United States and the United Arab Emirates can do together that helps bring technology to new countries, especially across Africa.”

Read also

Nvidia profits soar on demand for AI power

Microsoft unveils 'Copilot Plus' PC

Legit.ng earlier reported that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella unveiled a new category of PC on Monday that features generative artificial intelligence tools built directly into Windows, the company's world-leading operating system.

The tech giant estimates that more than 50 million "AI PCs" will be sold over the next 12 months, given the appetite for devices powered by ChatGPT-style technology.

"We are introducing an entirely new class of Windows PCs engineered to unleash the power of distributed AI," Nadella said at a launch event in Redmond, Washington.

Source: Legit.ng