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Google has announced a major investment in data centre infrastructure in Johannesburg as part of its broader $954 million investment in Africa.
This initiative is expected to generate 300,000 jobs and contribute approximately $89.8 billion to South Africa’s economy by 2030.
The tech giant emphasised that South Africa has a unique opportunity to rapidly advance its artificial intelligence sector, positioning itself as a leader in AI on the continent and globally.
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This was highlighted by Google’s Europe, Middle East, and Africa President Tara Brady during a press conference at the launch of the company’s Johannesburg cloud region.
“I believe that with the right investment in training, South Africa could leapfrog many other countries and become an AI leader,” Brady stated.
Brady also pointed out that South Africa’s high unemployment rate presents a distinct advantage. “When you have such high unemployment, it means that we can put those people to work, which is an opportunity that we don’t have in other regions,” he said. “So if South Africa wants to, we are prepared to invest in AI together here.”
According to Statistics South Africa’s latest labour force survey, the country’s official unemployment rate stands at 31.9%, with youth unemployment among those aged 15 to 35 at 44.6%.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai had previously announced in 2021 that the company would invest $1 billion over five years in Africa’s digital transformation.
Brady noted that while a significant portion of this investment is allocated to the Johannesburg cloud region, funds are also being directed toward digital skills training and supporting tech startups across the continent.
South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, underscored the importance of these training initiatives in a prerecorded address.
“We know that infrastructure alone is not enough. True digital transformation requires that all South Africans have access to the tools and, most importantly, the skills to participate meaningfully in the digital economy,” Malatsi said. “We look forward to working with Google to ensure that this investment has both economic and social impact.”
Microsoft is another global tech company investing in South Africa’s digital future. The company has pledged $286.2 million toward data centre infrastructure and digital skills development.
As part of this initiative, Microsoft will fund AI training and certification for 50,000 South Africans, covering areas such as AI fluency, AI engineering, AI systems design, cloud architecture, and cybersecurity.
Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasised the importance of these skills, stating, “These are precisely the certificates and skills that lead to employment. You need people with these credentials to do the jobs required in a digital economy.”
Microsoft has set a target of equipping one million South Africans with AI skills by 2026, reinforcing the country’s potential to become a major player in the global technology landscape.
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