Google to Build Four Connectivity Hubs to Boost Africa’s Internet and AI Growth

Google has announced plans to establish four new “connectivity hubs” across Africa to strengthen internet access and drive down connectivity costs.

Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Google Africa CEO Alex Okosi said the hubs will serve as landing stations for Google’s expanding subsea cable network, enabling smoother partnerships with local telecom operators.

“The hubs allow us to land the cables on the continent in a much more effective way … and reduce the cost for the average user to access the internet,” Okosi explained, adding that the infrastructure is also crucial for Africa to seize emerging AI opportunities.

While Okosi did not disclose exact locations, he revealed that the hubs will be distributed across the north, east, south, and west of the continent. Google later confirmed that one of them will be based in South Africa.

The initiative builds on Google’s major cable projects, including the Equiano subsea cable, which went live in March 2023 along Africa’s west coast, and Umoja, the first subsea cable to connect Africa directly to Australia, which is still under construction.

In addition to the hubs, Google announced new education and research investments:

• A one-year free subscription to Google AI Pro for tertiary students in South Africa and six other countries.
• US$9 million in fresh funding for African universities and research institutions over the next year.

The announcement comes as Google surpasses its initial US$1 billion infrastructure pledge for Africa made in 2021.

“For us, connectivity is the foundation of our strategy,” Okosi stressed. “We continue to invest in infrastructure, cloud services, and AI research to unlock Africa’s digital potential.”

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