Key Highlights
- AWS has launched new cloud infrastructure locally in Nairobi to enable low-latency applications, as well as hybrid cloud solutions via AWS Outposts.
- The facility is expected to create highly-skilled engineering and tech jobs for local workers. It will stimulate economic growth in Kenya.
- AWS is providing cloud computing training to 10,000 Kenyan students to develop local tech talent through the AWS Academy program.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) further expanded its global footprint by opening a new development center in Nairobi, Kenya on Wednesday. The facility was officially inaugurated by Kenyan President William Ruto, US Ambassador to Kenya Megan Whitman, Amazon officials, and other government representatives.
The Mission of Nairobi ADC: Innovation and Skilled Job Creation
The Amazon Development Center (ADC) will serve as a hub for critical operations including software engineering, customer support, retail functions, and more. ADCs form the foundation of Amazon’s business by housing the teams that generate its core revenue streams.
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While specific roles can vary, AWS stated that the Nairobi ADC will host research and development teams focused on building innovative cloud solutions for customers and partners worldwide.
The center is expected to create highly-skilled jobs in areas like telecommunications, software development, cloud computing support, and software engineering.
At Riverside, Nairobi County, officially opened the Amazon Web Services Development Centre, the second on the continent after South Africa; proof that Kenya — the rising digital powerhouse — is open for business and innovation on a global scale. pic.twitter.com/6D0U3Tut5Q
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) October 4, 2023
The initial group of engineers staffing the facility were previously based in Cape Town, South Africa, where Amazon operates a similar development center. In recent years, AWS has joined other major tech companies in setting up operations in Kenya to grow its presence across Africa.
AWS’s Investments in Kenya: Building a Strong Local Presence
The opening aligns with AWS’s ongoing investments in the country. In April 2023, AWS partnered with Kenya’s Information Communication Technology Authority to provide cloud computing training to 10,000 students through the AWS Academy program. This helps prepare students for AWS certifications and careers in tech.
AWS has also deployed cloud infrastructure locally in Nairobi through AWS Local Zones, launched in April 2022. Local Zones enable customers to build applications needing single-digit millisecond latency to on-premises data centers or end users.
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Additionally, AWS Outposts arrived in Kenya in August 2022. Outposts deliver AWS services and infrastructure on-premises for a seamless hybrid experience.
The Nairobi Development Center represents AWS’s deepening commitment to Kenya and Africa as a whole. By investing in local job creation and cloud training, AWS is helping elevate technical skills across the region while empowering African customers and partners with cloud technologies. The facility signifies AWS’s focus on powering innovation globally by providing organizations everywhere with advanced cloud solutions.
