Google makes massive tech investments in Africa

Lezeth Khoza
By Lezeth Khoza, Junior journalist
Johannesburg, 18 Sept 2025
Alex Okosi, MD of Google Africa.
Alex Okosi, MD of Google Africa.

Google today announced huge investments in the continent's digital future, including $9 million in new funding for African universities and research institutions over the next year, in addition to $17 million already spent in local capacity building.

Other initiatives include a new subsea cable connectivity hub in South Africa, one of four across the continent, and free one-year Google AI Pro subscriptions for college students starting in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, providing students with advanced AI tools such as Deep Research and Gemini 2.5 Pro to help them with their studies.

These fresh announcements are in addition to the $1 billion investment in Africa announced by the company in 2022.

Alex Okosi, managing director for Google in Africa, commented: "Africa's digital economy holds immense potential, and it will be driven by the talent and ingenuity of its next generation. 

"Today's announcements, spanning AI education, advanced tools for students, and expanded connectivity, are a unified investment into the upward trajectory of the continent. 

"We are committed to providing the foundational infrastructure, the cutting-edge tools, and the financial support necessary for Africa's youth to innovate, lead, and build a thriving digital world."

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