Africa’s AI revolution gained a powerful lift-off this week when Google announced Cassava Technologies as its strategic partner to roll out Gemini, Google’s next-generation AI platform, across the continent.
Josh Woodward, Vice President of Google Labs and Gemini unveiled the groundbreaking collaboration that promises data-free AI access and new learning tools at the Africa Tech Festival that is presently underway in Cape Town.
“The partnership aims to democratize AI for millions across Africa’s rapidly digitising economies. For AI to reach its full potential, it must be accessible. This partnership tackles two key challenges, cost and connectivity, by enabling data-free Gemini access and offering six free months of Google AI Plus,” he said.
Woodward emphasised that Google sees a future where students, creators, and entrepreneurs across Africa can learn, build and create without watching a data metre.
The collaboration builds on Cassava’s recent achievements, including securing 12 000 Nvidia GPUs for Africa’s first AI Factories and being appointed the continent’s first Nvidia Cloud Partner. These strategic alliances establish a foundation for local AI innovation and computing independence.
Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairman of Cassava Technologies, described teaming up with the powerful global multinational technology corporation as a defining moment for Africa’s digital economy.
“Our partnership with Google is about more than technology. It’s about empowerment. We are building Africa’s AI future in our own languages, with our own data, using local infrastructure,” he said.
Cassava’s AI Factories in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco will host Gemini and other AI applications, creating what Masiyiwa called “a continental AI backbone for innovation and inclusion.”
The groundbreaking deal comes just days after Liquid C2, a Cassava subsidiary, signed a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to strengthen Africa’s cloud and cybersecurity ecosystem, further expanding access to AI, data analytics, and collaboration tools.
Together, Masiyiwa added, these alliances point to a new chapter for Africa’s AI ecosystem, one where African enterprises, startups, and students are not just consumers of global AI technologies but active creators shaping its future.
Equally Woodward expressed his excitement about the impact of this opportunity on a continent that is home to digital natives already shaping global culture through art, music, and technology.
“We can’t wait to see what Africa will learn, build and create,” he said.
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