Techbytes: Google expands Africa AI push with new cloud hub, innovation programmes

Google has announced a new wave of investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud infrastructure and digital skills across Africa, as the technology giant seeks to position the continent as a creator of AI solutions rather than simply a consumer of them.

The announcements were made during Google’s inaugural Building for Africa Google Cloud Summit held in Johannesburg on July 1, which attracted about 2,500 business leaders, developers and policymakers, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

According to tech.africa, the company said it had already exceeded its previously announced US$1 billion commitment towards Africa’s digital transformation and outlined a fresh pipeline of investments aimed at improving connectivity, supporting startups and expanding AI research.

A key announcement was the launch of the South Africa Digital Exchange Port, a new connectivity hub to be established in the Eastern Cape.

The facility will be the first of four planned digital exchange hubs across Africa and will connect to Google’s global subsea cable network, including the Umoja cable linking Africa directly to Australia with onward connectivity to India.

Google said the exchange port will complement its Johannesburg cloud region, which became operational in March 2025, by reducing internet latency, improving access to cloud services and ensuring more internet traffic and data remain within Africa.

The company also unveiled what it described as Africa’s first Applied AI Lab, which will be established in Ghana with support from Google Research and the Google AI Futures Fund.

The laboratory will support the development of AI solutions tailored to African challenges, with applications for participation set to close on August 31.

In South Africa, Google announced the establishment of a Digital Innovation Centre in Soweto at the George Tabor Campus of South West Gauteng TVET College to expand digital skills training.

The company is also launching a Creative AI education programme in partnership with The Akuna Group, supported by more than US$1 million (about R17 million) in funding from Google.org to equip young people with practical AI skills.

To strengthen Africa’s startup ecosystem, Google said applications for the Google for Startups Accelerator South Africa will open on July 21.

The programme will select 15 startups to participate in an AI-focused accelerator offering technical mentorship, business support and equity-free funding.

The latest investments reflect growing competition among global technology companies to expand cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure across Africa as demand for digital services continues to grow.

Industry analysts say improving digital infrastructure and investing in local AI talent could help accelerate innovation, support businesses and strengthen Africa’s participation in the global digital economy.

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