Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has underscored the importance of reliable and scalable energy systems in supporting the growth of data centres and digital infrastructure.

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Koskei said digital transformation must be matched with sustainable energy planning.

Koskei, who is in Brazil for a leadership engagement under the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI), said countries pursuing digital economies must prioritise energy security as a foundational pillar for modern governance and service delivery.

He noted that data centres-critical facilities that host and process cloud computing services, financial systems, artificial intelligence tools and government digital platforms—are among the most energy-intensive components of the digital ecosystem.

A data centre is essentially a facility made up of thousands of servers that operate continuously to store and process digital information. These systems run 24 hours a day and require significant electricity not only for computing but also for cooling systems that prevent overheating and ensure stability.

Koskei made the remarks during a visit to SERPRO, Brazil’s Federal Government principal technology institution, which supports large-scale digital systems for public service delivery.

The delegation also included ESAMI Board members and fellow Heads of Public Service, as well as Principal Secretaries Paul Rono and Alex Wachira.

The team is participating in a peer-learning programme aimed at strengthening governance and digital transformation strategies across the region.

Koskei said the engagement aligns closely with Kenya’s ongoing digital transformation agenda.

“This engagement directly aligns with Kenya’s BETA Digital Superhighway, underscoring the importance of integrated platforms, data-driven governance, and secure digital public infrastructure in delivering efficient and citizen-centered services,” he said.

He added that lessons drawn from Brazil’s public digital systems would help strengthen Kenya’s efforts to build secure, efficient and scalable platforms for service delivery.

“The peer-to-peer learning exchange reinforces the imperative to scale whole-of-government digital systems that enhance service delivery, transparency, and accountability,” Koskei said.

On the first day of the programme, the delegation conducted field visits to leading industrial and agro-processing facilities.

At VPJ Alimentos, participants observed a fully integrated meat production value chain delivering more than 800 products across 12 brands, offering insights into large-scale industrial efficiency and supply chain management.

At Ferrari Agroindústria, a major sugar and ethanol producer, Koskei said the team examined how structured partnerships and internal production systems support industrial competitiveness.

The facility also demonstrated energy cogeneration models that supply surplus electricity to Engie Brasil, showcasing how industrial operations can contribute to broader energy systems.

Koskei said the visits reinforced the need for African governments to rethink leadership and institutional frameworks to match the demands of modern economies.

“The learning journey underscores the need to reimagine leadership models, reform public institutions, and embrace modern management practices in advancing efficient, competitive, and results-driven public service delivery,” he said.