Friday, January 16, 2026
In a major step toward accelerating Africa’s digital transformation, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Sybyl, and iXAfrica Data Centre Limited (iXAfrica) have formed a strategic partnership to build and scale sovereign cloud infrastructure across Kenya and the wider East African region. Through a new Memorandum of Understanding, the three organizations aim to provide governments, enterprises, and innovators with secure, locally hosted cloud solutions that meet national data sovereignty and residency requirements. This initiative marks an important milestone in Africa’s efforts to strengthen digital independence.
To achieve this vision, the partners will combine their complementary strengths. TCS will contribute its expertise in sovereign cloud frameworks and global cloud deployment, Sybyl will leverage its customer support and regional engineering capabilities, and iXAfrica will deliver secure, scalable infrastructure built to support AI-ready operations. Together, the three companies intend to ensure that enterprises gain access to world-class technology, localized support, and resilient data hosting that aligns with national regulatory expectations.
As African countries push forward with digital transformation, data sovereignty has increasingly become a top priority. Governments and large organizations seek infrastructure that keeps sensitive data within national borders, complies with regional laws, and supports secure, scalable digital services. This partnership directly addresses those concerns by offering a built-in-Africa cloud environment specifically designed for compliance, resilience, and high-performance computing.
TCS plans to deploy its Sovereign Secure Cloud™, a tailored solution that integrates AI to enhance data sovereignty, operational efficiency, and digital governance. The offering includes architecture design, deployment methodologies, and advanced security controls informed by TCS’ global leadership in consulting and digital transformation. According to Satishchandra Doreswamy, Vice President & Head, Cloud Unit – Growth Markets, TCS, “We offer a resilient and future-ready cloud infrastructure, powered by AI-driven intelligence, that can be tailored to specific needs of our customers…”
Sybyl, recognized as one of East Africa’s top systems integrators, will be responsible for local deployment, support, and customer enablement. Its CEO, Shailendra Yadav, emphasized the value of localized cloud services, noting that sovereign cloud operations reduce exposure to foreign risks, improve service resilience, and create skilled employment opportunities for Kenyan and African professionals.
iXAfrica, which operates the region’s leading carrier-neutral AI-ready campus, will supply the secure and energy-efficient data center infrastructure hosting the Sovereign Cloud. CEO Snehar Shah stated that “Data sovereignty is the cornerstone of Africa’s digital future,” stressing the importance of keeping African data within its own borders.
A sovereign cloud enables organizations to leverage the benefits of cloud computing—such as cost efficiency, performance, and scalability—while ensuring data privacy, operational autonomy, and local regulatory compliance. It is particularly valuable for industries like banking, telecom, public services, and large enterprises that must meet strict security and data protection standards.
TCS’ sovereign cloud services also provide access to advanced AI and analytics capabilities, allowing enterprises to innovate while complying with national regulations. The initiative is expected to generate local jobs, strengthen regional digital infrastructure, and position East Africa as a key technological hub for the continent. TCS, which has operated in Africa for nearly 20 years and serves over 50 major regional clients, continues to receive recognition for its commitment to local growth, including earning the Top Employer Award for nine consecutive years.
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