Why Kenya Is Africa’s Next Digital Powerhouse | Snehar Shah

What does it truly mean to do business in Kenya, not just from a commercial lens, but from a place of purpose, progress, and profound identity? 

In this episode of Inside East Africa, we sit down with Snehar Shah, a fourth-generation Kenyan and tech entrepreneur, whose journey from the boardrooms of London to the bustling innovation corridors of Nairobi paints a new picture of Africa’s rising economic giant.

Currently the CEO of iXAfrica Data Centres, Shah has spent over 25 years transforming industries, from telecom to renewable energy to digital infrastructure. But his story is not just about scaling ventures. It’s about anchoring those ventures in Kenyan soil and crafting a vision where local innovation powers global futures.

Shah takes us through the evolution of Kenya’s digital and startup ecosystem. At the heart of this conversation lies the economic significance of data and Kenya’s growing prominence as a digital infrastructure hub. Despite Africa comprising 18% of the global population, the continent hosts less than 1% of global data center capacity. That’s where iXAfrica steps in. With 93% of Kenya’s electricity already sourced from renewables (largely geothermal), Shah sees an opportunity not just for domestic data solutions, but for Kenya to emerge as a regional and even global digital powerhouse. He notes that major players like Microsoft and Google are already investing heavily, drawn by the country’s regulatory agility, talent pipeline, and sustainable power sources.

Beyond infrastructure, we explore how Kenya is rewriting its narrative, breaking free from stereotypes of underdevelopment and political instability. Yes, challenges persist. But Kenya is not only resilient; it is rapidly evolving. The 2023 youth-led protests were not tribal or politically manipulated; they were a united demand for better governance. This marks a pivotal shift: from tribal politics to civic activism, from ethnic divides to national solidarity.

In addressing misconceptions, Shah emphasizes Kenya’s talent as a critical, often overlooked asset. With a robust education system and a cultural inclination toward entrepreneurship, Kenyan professionals are leading in regional and global roles. From elite athletes to world-class engineers and hospitality professionals, Kenyans are increasingly becoming the country’s greatest export.

But perhaps most moving is Snehar’s reflection on identity. As a Kenyan of Asian descent, he shares how his community was recently recognized as Kenya’s 44th tribe, a deeply symbolic gesture of inclusion. He describes his Kenyan-ness not just in commercial terms, but in the authenticity and resilience that define the country’s spirit. “Being Kenyan is being authentic,” he says, a testament to how cultural and commercial identities are merging to form a bold, new Kenyan narrative.

For investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs alike, Snehar Shah’s story offers an insider’s perspective on why Kenya isn’t just an African story, it’s a global business opportunity. With smart regulation, renewable energy, scalable talent, and an emerging digital backbone, Kenya is poised to lead Africa’s next tech-driven chapter.

As Snehar Shah puts it, the message to the world is simple: Kenya is open for business, not just to compete, but to collaborate. The time to pay attention is now.

Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.

Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran

Introduction music: (https://freesound.org/people/Timbre)