Introduction
iXAfrica Data Centres, Kenya’s foremost hyper-scale, AI-ready data center, has embarked on a significant collaboration with Moringa School, a leading provider of technology skills in the region. This partnership aims to introduce Kenya’s first all-encompassing Data Protection course, which will cover crucial areas such as cloud fundamentals and data center management, while significantly enhancing data security awareness across the nation.
The Launch at NBOX1 Data Centre
The partnership was officially launched at iXAfrica’s state-of-the-art NBOX1 Data Centre in Nairobi, with Kenya’s Data Protection Commissioner, Immaculate Kassait, MBS, in attendance. This collaboration marks a critical advancement in bolstering the expertise of technology professionals in Kenya and East Africa, particularly in the domains of data protection and security.
Kenya’s Leadership in Data Protection
Kenya stands at the forefront of Africa’s data protection efforts, thanks to its Data Protection Regulation, which mirrors the EU’s GDPR standards. The enactment of the Data Protection Act in November 2019 ushered in a new era of data privacy for Kenyans, granting individuals enforceable rights over their personal information. The Act also established clear guidelines for both public and private entities on the responsible handling of user data.
Moringa School’s Role in Enhancing Data Compliance Skills
Moringa School, renowned for its tech vocational training programs in Software Engineering, Data Science, and Cybersecurity, has identified a critical need to bolster skills in data compliance for business professionals. Their strong corporate training programs, such as Safaricom’s Digital Academy, highlight their commitment to empowering organizations with essential data protection skills. This new partnership with iXAfrica will enable Moringa School to extend its training offerings to include a specialized course on Data Privacy, tailored specifically for the business sector.
Statements from Key Stakeholders
Nikki Germany, CEO of Moringa School, emphasized the alignment of this partnership with the school’s mission:
“Partnering with iXAfrica aligns perfectly with our mission to provide cutting-edge training that addresses the evolving needs of the business sector. By equipping professionals with vital skills in data protection, we’re not just shaping careers; we’re contributing to a secure and innovative digital future for Kenya.”
Snehar Shah, CEO of iXAfrica, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting enterprises in meeting their data localization needs:
“iXAfrica is committed to helping enterprises meet their data localization needs, whether by hosting their infrastructure in a secure, high-uptime environment or by facilitating access to hypercloud services locally. This partnership with Moringa School will enable us to educate clients on data protection while furthering the ODPC’s mission to localize sensitive data.”
ODPC’s Endorsement and Support
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC), represented by a delegation led by Immaculate Kassait, also participated in the launch. Immaculate Kassait commended the partnership, stating:
“ODPC paid a courtesy call to iXAfrica Data Centre. In her remarks, the Data Commissioner noted the efforts put in place to establish an Artificial Intelligence (AI) ready data center and emphasized the need to take into consideration data protection compliance measures. She further congratulated iXAfrica Data Centre and Moringa School on their collaboration to train Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in data protection in light of the dynamic ICT and privacy landscape.”
Impact on Kenya’s Digital Economy
This initiative is poised to elevate the standards of data protection and security education in Kenya, making a substantial contribution to the country’s burgeoning digital economy. The collaboration between iXAfrica Data Centres and Moringa School represents a forward-thinking approach to addressing the evolving challenges of data privacy and protection, ensuring that Kenya remains a leader in this critical field.
