In a significant leap forward for Kenya’s public service delivery, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), in collaboration with Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) and Encapsulated East Africa Limited, has unveiled a cutting-edge modular data center. This development is poised to modernize the country’s Transport Integrated Management System (TIMS), offering streamlined services for millions of Kenyan citizens.
Since its establishment in 2012, NTSA has been at the forefront of managing vehicle growth and ensuring road safety across Kenya. However, as the population and demand for NTSA services expanded, the need for a modernized, more efficient data infrastructure became clear. This year, NTSA took bold steps to overhaul its legacy systems by deploying the Vertiv™ SmartRow™ solution, a self-contained data center designed to enhance service delivery while cutting operational costs.
The modernization of NTSA’s data infrastructure forms part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving efficiency in vehicle registration, ownership transfers, and licensing. Prior to this overhaul, the NTSA’s TIMS platform was buckling under pressure, with a staggering backlog of 60,000 drivers waiting for application processing. Thanks to the new system, that number has plummeted to zero, revolutionizing customer service and slashing wait times.
At the heart of this transformation is the Vertiv™ SmartRow™ solution, which allows for the integration of up to 10 racks with built-in cooling, power distribution, and fire suppression systems. This solution’s modularity and scalability allow NTSA to meet growing demand while maintaining high levels of energy efficiency. Additionally, the SmartRow™ is factory integrated and tested, reducing installation costs and increasing deployment speed. The NTSA project, initially expected to take 10 months, was completed in just six, underscoring the efficiency of the Vertiv deployment.
“Modernising our systems was crucial to meet vehicle owners’ expectations and improve service delivery to citizens,” said Nashon Kondiwa, Deputy Director of ICT and Innovation at NTSA. He emphasized that the new solution alleviates the complexities of working with multiple suppliers, integrating crucial functions like access control, CCTV, and environmental monitoring into a single, compact system.
Notably, the revamped system has led to a significant rise in license renewal compliance. Where NTSA once processed around 10,000 licenses monthly, it now handles over 80,000, reflecting an eightfold increase. Citizens can also now track their service applications in real-time, around the clock, further boosting the user experience.
Kondiwa highlighted the immense benefits the new system offers NTSA staff as well, stating, “The Vertiv SmartRow simplifies processes, enhances system security, and broadens access to our online services. It has reduced stress on our staff by providing a more reliable, predictable system.”
This improvement in system performance is matched by significant energy savings, thanks to SmartRow™’s design, which allows NTSA to right-size its data center equipment and manage power distribution and cooling more efficiently. This has led to reduced energy consumption and improved environmental control.
Rohan Patil, Vertiv’s Regional Manager for East Africa, also expressed pride in the rapid deployment and the positive impact the solution has had on NTSA’s service delivery. “Our comprehensive integrated solutions portfolio significantly reduces deployment time and streamlines the installation process. This is particularly crucial in keeping pace with the rapid advancements in digitalisation our customers are facing,” Patil remarked.
For Kenya, the NTSA’s adoption of Vertiv’s SmartRow™ is more than a technological upgrade—it’s a digital revolution that is setting a new standard for public service efficiency and reliability. As citizens continue to experience faster, more seamless services, this collaboration stands as a model for how the digital transformation of government institutions can create a positive ripple effect throughout society.
With the Vertiv™ SmartRow™, NTSA has ensured it’s not only prepared for today’s challenges but also well-equipped to handle the demands of tomorrow. The integration of advanced technologies into Kenya’s critical infrastructure is driving economic growth, reducing road congestion, and ultimately saving lives. This project is a testament to the power of digital transformation in shaping the future of service delivery in Kenya.
