iColo, a Digital Realty Company, is a premier provider of carrier-neutral data centers in Kenya and Mozambique

They serve a wide range of customers, including telecom carriers, ISPs, IT and cloud providers, and enterprise businesses. With the increasing demand for reliable data center services in East Africa, iColo sought to enhance their infrastructure to meet international standards. The company operates key facilities in Nairobi and Mombasa, including Mombasa One (MBA1), Mombasa Two (MBA2), and Nairobi One (NBO1).

Project Overview

The expansion and upgrade of iColo’s data centers in Nairobi and Mombasa required high-speed, low-latency connectivity to support their customers’ needs. iColo first established a facility in Mombasa, termed the ‘Gateway to East Africa,’ owing to the subsea cables landing in the coastal city. This location catered to the colocation needs of connectivity providers looking to sell capacity in Kenya and the broader East African region. Later, they set up in Nairobi specifically for enterprise businesses in the city.

This project was motivated by the increasing need for colocation data centers in the region. As they launched their data center operations, iColo needed the right equipment and expertise to ensure that our colocation services met international standards. iColo sought a partner capable of delivering state-of-the-art, reliable services and solutions, which led to the collaboration with Siemon.

The challenge

With data centers spanning over 2,600 sqm, iColo needed a flexible, easy-to-deploy interconnect infrastructure that would future-proof their facilities, especially as technologies like AI and machine learning continue to evolve. iColo’s growing customer base, including enterprises and connectivity providers, demanded robust and reliable data center services. With subsea cables landing in Mombasa, the region became a critical connectivity hub, and iColo needed to ensure their colocation services were on par with global standards. The main challenge was to build a scalable, high-performance infrastructure that could handle the growing data traffic while offering flexibility and reliability.

The Siemon solution

Siemon was selected as the solution provider due to their superior product performance, ease of installation, and local technical support. After a thorough evaluation process, Siemon’s products were chosen to deliver the advanced interconnect infrastructure iColo required.

The following Siemon solutions were deployed:

• Plug and Play Fiber Solutions – RazorCoreTM fiber trunks, LC BladePatch, fiber combo panels, and fiber trunks for fast, easy installation.
• Plug and Play Copper Solutions – Z-MAX shielded copper trunks, patch panels, and combo panel adapters to ensure reliable, high-performance connections.
• RS Racks and VCM Cable Managers – Used for efficient cable management in Meet-Me rooms.
• Cable Tray Racks (CTR) and V-Series Cabinets – Installed for optimal data center management and organization.

These solutions allowed iColo to offer carrier-neutral connectivity, enabling their customers to easily interconnect and exchange data with minimal latency.

Implementation and results

iColo’s project began in 2017 and continues to evolve, with the most recent phases focusing on the expansion of Mombasa and Nairobi data centers. Siemon’s products were installed across iColo’s facilities, providing seamless connectivity and superior performance. The implementation of RS racks and VCM cable managers resolved key cable management challenges in the Meet-Me rooms, enhancing operational efficiency. Performance tests revealed that the Siemon solutions exceeded expectations, offering zero failure rates and ensuring smooth, uninterrupted service for iColo’s customers.

Customer feedback and benefits

Working with Siemon has delivered significant advantages for iColo. The solutions provided faster service delivery, improved connectivity reliability, and superior thermal management, which are critical for maintaining optimal performance in a data center environment. The quick installation process reduced downtime, enabling iColo to meet their project deadlines efficiently. “Siemon has been a valuable partner throughout our journey. Their products have proven to be reliable, and their technical support is always timely”, commented iColo’s team.

Conclusion

By leveraging Siemon’s innovative solutions, iColo was able to build and expand its data center facilities to meet the needs of its diverse customer base in East Africa. With reliable, future-proof infrastructure now in place, iColo is well-positioned to support the region’s growing demand for colocation services and data connectivity.

Vertiv Liquid Cooling Services is supported by the Vertiv Global Services network, offering project services, product support, testing, and training across its portfolio. (Image source: Vertiv)

Vertiv, a global leader in critical digital infrastructure and continuity solutions, has introduced Vertiv Liquid Cooling Services to enhance system availability, improve efficiency, and help customers manage the complexities of advanced liquid cooling systems.

This service is now accessible worldwide

After working with early adopters in various regions for over a year, Vertiv has refined best practices and gained valuable insights, allowing for the global expansion of its liquid cooling service offerings. This experience ensures a proven and mature approach, delivering expert support to data centre operators worldwide based on real-world applications and success.

As AI workloads drive higher rack densities—now averaging 30 kW, with some exceeding 120 kW—data centres are experiencing greater heat loads and power demands. In response, liquid cooling solutions have become essential for maintaining operational stability.

Why liquid cooling now?

“The increasing reliance on liquid-cooled AI servers necessitates a comprehensive approach to lifecycle management,” said Sean Graham, research director of cloud and data centre at IDC. “Given the complexities inherent in these cooling ecosystems, a robust support programme is not merely advisable, but a best practice to ensure both system availability and long-term operational viability.”

Vertiv Liquid Cooling Services integrates liquid cooling solutions seamlessly with IT infrastructure, covering expert installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance. The service prioritises fluid management, system cleanliness, and the prevention of air ingress—crucial for ensuring reliability. Given the unique challenges of liquid cooling for AI applications, traditional maintenance approaches are insufficient. Vertiv applies decades of industry expertise to deliver best-practice preventive and condition-based maintenance, ensuring optimal system performance and uptime.

The service includes a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored for AI-driven and high-performance computing environments, ensuring long-term reliability and operational stability. Vertiv’s certified technicians and field engineers provide expert support at every stage, ensuring the efficiency of cooling loop fluid systems and heat rejection components.

Key service offerings include:

• Startup & Commissioning Services – Address potential issues proactively to prevent installation-related delays and ensure seamless system deployment, while verifying the quality of all connected equipment.
• Spare Parts Availability – Rapid access to replacement components to enable faster repairs and minimise downtime.
• End-to-End Lifecycle Support – Digital and proactive maintenance for long-term system reliability, with detailed documentation of the secondary fluid network to support ongoing system health.
• Comprehensive Fluid Management Services – Ensuring optimal coolant quality through sampling, laboratory testing, contamination prevention, and responsible disposal, enhancing resilience and efficiency.
• Emergency & Preventive Support – On-site and remote emergency response teams diagnose and resolve issues swiftly, reducing downtime and restoring operations efficiently

Vertiv Liquid Cooling Services is supported by the Vertiv Global Services network, offering project services, product support, testing, and training across its portfolio. With over 240 service centres, 3,500+ field engineers, and 190+ technical response specialists, Vertiv delivers expert support across multiple regions.

Also read: AI reshapes cybersecurity landscape

Eutelsat exceeds ITU pledge, connecting 1 million underserved to satellite internet. (Image source: Eutelsat)

Eutelsat has reached its Partner2Connect Digital Coalition pledge, connecting 1 million underserved individuals in Sub-Saharan Africa to high-speed satellite internet—two years ahead of schedule

This achievement aligns with the company’s mission to bridge the digital divide, supporting individuals, businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities in remote regions.

Satellite-Powered digital revolution

Powered by the EUTELSAT KONNECT satellite, Konnect Wi-Fi hotspots have provided affordable internet to areas lacking terrestrial infrastructure. Offering speeds between 5 Mbps and 100 Mbps, the service has enabled access to education, e-commerce, and critical services.

Eva Berneke, CEO of Eutelsat Group, stated, “Reaching this milestone means 1 million people now have access to vital information, education, and communication resources through our Konnect solution. This achievement highlights our commitment to digital inclusion and underscores how we leverage cutting-edge satellite network solutions to meet the challenging demands for low-cost, high-availability, and trusted services in Africa. With both Eutelsat’s GEO satellite fleet and OneWeb’s LEO constellation, we are expanding our reach and ensuring that connectivity drives meaningful economic and social progress, empowering communities to thrive in the digital era.”

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, secretary-general of the ITU, added, "Eutelsat's achievements in satellite connectivity have been instrumental in providing reliable and affordable high-speed broadband to individuals, businesses, schools, and healthcare centres in underserved regions. This work underscores Eutelsat’s commitment to bridging the digital divide while contributing to ITU’s goal of delivering meaningful connectivity to everyone, everywhere.”

Eutelsat’s milestone underscores the transformative power of satellite connectivity in bridging the digital divide. By delivering reliable internet to remote areas, the company is not only enhancing digital inclusion but also driving economic growth, education, and healthcare access. As Eutelsat continues expanding coverage through its GEO and LEO satellite networks, it remains committed to fostering sustainable development and digital equity across Africa. This achievement reinforces the role of satellite technology in creating a more connected and empowered world.

Also read: Eutelsat restores OneWeb LEO service

Mastercard has launched its inaugural office in Kampala, Uganda. (Image source: Mastercard)

Mastercard has inaugurated its first office in Uganda, marking a major step in its expansion strategy across East Africa. This move highlights the company’s commitment to boosting financial inclusion and driving digital transformation in the region

Uganda’s economy is projected to grow at 6.2% by 2025, positioning the country for ongoing development. Mastercard’s new office in Kampala will facilitate closer collaboration with local stakeholders, enabling the delivery of tailored solutions that cater to the specific needs of Ugandan consumers and businesses.

This initiative aligns with Uganda's “Digital Uganda Vision,” a government-led programme aimed at harnessing digital technologies for national development.

Digitsing Africa

In support of this, Mastercard has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance to accelerate the adoption of digital solutions, enhance government services, and promote financial inclusion.

In compliance with the National Payment Systems Act 2020, Mastercard was granted a Payment System Operator (PSO) License by the Bank of Uganda in 2024. This license enables Mastercard to provide essential services such as settlement and clearing operations within Uganda, positioning the company as a payment system operator for domestic transactions.

Mark Elliott, division president for Africa at Mastercard, commented, “Mastercard has a long-standing commitment to Africa, and the opening of our office in Uganda reinforces our dedication to this vibrant market. By being on the ground, we can better collaborate and drive the adoption of digital payment solutions that promote economic growth and financial inclusion. We are committed to leveraging our global expertise and innovative capabilities to advance payment technologies in this market. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our extensive network of partners in both the public and private sectors for their support in helping us build a more connected digital world.”

Shehryar Ali, senior vice-president and country manager for East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands at Mastercard, added, “Uganda presents immense opportunities for digital innovation. Our new office aims to serve as a hub for developing and implementing payment solutions that cater to the evolving needs of Ugandan consumers and businesses. We will continue to collaborate with our stakeholders and new players in the fintech space and beyond as we contribute to a connected and inclusive digital future for all.”

Mastercard’s efforts to drive financial and digital progress in Uganda also include initiatives such as the Community Pass Customer Summit and collaborations with the Uganda Bankers Association.

The opening of the Kampala office is part of Mastercard’s broader strategy to expand its presence across Africa, joining existing offices in Cairo, Casablanca, Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Port Louis, and Accra.

Also read: Ghana welcomes Mastercard’s first office