Immediately, Google Cloud formally celebrated the opening of its first African cloud area in Johannesburg, a big milestone in Google’s $1 billion funding pledge to assist speed up Africa’s digital transformation.
Operational since January 2024, the Johannesburg cloud area instantly helps African companies and multinational companies working on the African continent by offering entry to cutting-edge applied sciences: modern AI and machine studying, highly effective knowledge analytics, and complete safety options. This permits organizations to enhance operational effectivity, construct groundbreaking instruments, and in the end unlock new alternatives for development.
Google Cloud’s area builds on wider infrastructure investments into the continent. In Might 2024, Google Cloud introduced a brand new fibre optic cable route from Kenya to Australia – Umoja – which is able to be part of Equiano and now the Johannesburg Google Cloud area to type an initiative known as Africa Join that may improve community entry, making it quicker, extra dependable, and extra reasonably priced. These infrastructure investments are essential for bridging the digital divide and guaranteeing that everybody, no matter their location, can profit from the digital revolution.
His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa mentioned: “The Google Cloud area in Johannesburg is a precious funding in South Africa, fostering innovation throughout our financial system. Google’s rising presence will profit the folks of South Africa and the remainder of Africa by permitting corporations and entrepreneurs to entry the highly effective potential of AI, remodeling almost each a part of the financial system.”
Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud mentioned: “Google’s longstanding dedication to Africa takes a big step ahead with the launch of the Johannesburg cloud area. By bringing cutting-edge cloud and AI applied sciences nearer to the enterprise and builders which are fueling the native financial system, we hope to speed up African innovation, bringing sustainable development throughout the continent.”
Held on the Gallagher Conference Centre in Johannesburg, the launch occasion featured keynote addresses from trade and authorities leaders, together with Tara Brady, President, Google Cloud Europe, Center East and Africa; Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Google Sub-Saharan Africa; and Honorable Minister Solly Malatsi, South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Applied sciences, demonstrating the revolutionary potential of cloud know-how for African companies and people. Enterprise and technical tracks, together with a accomplice expo, offered attendees with precious insights and hands-on expertise with Google Cloud’s superior applied sciences. The occasion additionally showcased Google Cloud’s in depth accomplice community, that includes over 20 sponsors and exhibitors. Premier sponsors included Accenture, ADG, Deimos, Deloitte, Digicloud and Liquid C2.
The agenda additionally highlighted buyer success tales and govt insights from the likes of 4G Capital, FNB, Authorities of Benin, Healthbridge, Jaguar Land Rover, Moniepoint, Openserve, Pepkor, Salus, Smollan, Syft, Travelstart, and Vodacom.
Additional demonstrating its dedication to Africa, Google Cloud supplies folks and companies with enablement and coaching on the most recent cloud applied sciences and sustainable enterprise practices. Packages like Cloud OnBoard, Cloud Hero and Google Hustle Academy are equipping learners and enterprise homeowners throughout the continent with essential expertise in generative AI, machine studying, software and infrastructure modernization, knowledge and analytics, and digital advertising. Since 2022, Hustle Academy has efficiently educated over 15,000 SMBs in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa and the 2025 version will proceed to emphasise AI-powered enterprise coaching.
Google Cloud can also be a driving pressure behind Africa’s vibrant startup scene. By applications like Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, Google Cloud has been instrumental in supporting over 260 startups throughout 17 African nations. Taking part startups within the Accelerator Africa program can obtain as much as $350,000 in Google Cloud credit to construct and scale their companies. These startups have achieved exceptional success, collectively elevating over $600 million in follow-on funding, surpassing funding ranges seen by different startups within the African tech sector. This help has additionally translated into tangible development, with a 31% enhance in employment and a 25% enhance in month-to-month recurring income among the many taking part startups.
Based on a Public First digital affect examine launched in Sep 2024, Google Cloud, along with Google Search, Google Play, YouTube, and Google promoting instruments delivered $16 billion of further financial exercise for Sub-Saharan companies, nonprofits, publishers, creators, and builders in 2023. Public First discovered that each $1 invested in digital know-how within the area will generate over $2 in financial worth by 2030, with a fair higher return in entrance runner nations.
