Google is ramping up its investment in Africa's connectivity, with South Africa earmarked to host one of four new subsea cable hubs across the continent. The expansion builds on the firm's existing footprint with the Africa Connect programme and its Equiano cable initiative.
Alongside the infrastructure plan, Google will grant free one-year access to its Google AI Pro offering for university students in seven African nations, including South Africa. The package provides access to AI-powered research and productivity tools such as Gemini 2.5 Pro.
In addition, the company has pledged USD 9 million (approximately R166 million) toward African universities and research institutions in the year ahead. This commitment adds to over USD 17 million previously invested in curricula, training programmes and computing resources since 2021.
According to Google, its connectivity initiatives have already enabled 100 million Africans to access the internet for the first time, and the Equiano cable alone is projected to boost South Africa's GDP by USD 5.8 billion (R107 billion) this year.
Alex Okosi, Google's managing director for Africa, communicated that these moves are part of a holistic strategy to champion the continent's youth. He noted that Africa's digital economy has vast potential and will be powered by the talents of its next generation.
Over nearly two decades on the continent, Google has committed around USD 1 billion toward digital transformation efforts. Its contributions include digital skills training for more than seven million Africans and support for 153 startups across 17 countries.
Alongside the infrastructure plan, Google will grant free one-year access to its Google AI Pro offering for university students in seven African nations, including South Africa. The package provides access to AI-powered research and productivity tools such as Gemini 2.5 Pro.
In addition, the company has pledged USD 9 million (approximately R166 million) toward African universities and research institutions in the year ahead. This commitment adds to over USD 17 million previously invested in curricula, training programmes and computing resources since 2021.
According to Google, its connectivity initiatives have already enabled 100 million Africans to access the internet for the first time, and the Equiano cable alone is projected to boost South Africa's GDP by USD 5.8 billion (R107 billion) this year.
Alex Okosi, Google's managing director for Africa, communicated that these moves are part of a holistic strategy to champion the continent's youth. He noted that Africa's digital economy has vast potential and will be powered by the talents of its next generation.
Over nearly two decades on the continent, Google has committed around USD 1 billion toward digital transformation efforts. Its contributions include digital skills training for more than seven million Africans and support for 153 startups across 17 countries.
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