Nvidia's AI software to be rolled out by Cassava Technologies, with South Africa serving as the initial location for implementation in Africa.
Cassava Technologies and Nvidia Partner to Establish AI Factory in Africa
Cassava Technologies, a leading digital infrastructure company, has announced a partnership with Nvidia, the world's leading chip maker, to establish an "AI factory" in Africa. The initiative is a $700 million project that aims to build AI-ready data centers across the continent, starting with a facility in South Africa equipped with 3,000 Nvidia GPUs.
The partnership is part of Cassava Technologies' strategic plan to build localized high-performance computing infrastructure, contrasting with state-led foreign investments. The company aims to enable African startups, enterprises, governments, and researchers to access advanced AI computing power, thereby accelerating digital innovation and developing homegrown AI solutions across critical sectors.
The data centers will be financed entirely by Cassava’s own resources, emphasizing private sector leadership and African ownership. The company has also collaborated with organizations like the South African AI Association to provide GPU access to thousands of AI practitioners, expanding the continent’s AI skilled workforce and ecosystem.
The project is expected to have a significant impact on Africa's digital landscape. It aims to bridge the compute power gap, currently at only 5% for African AI developers, and stimulate digital economic growth and innovation ecosystems. The initiative also seeks to empower Africa as a future leader in AI technology adoption and development, leveraging its young population and emerging AI talent pool to shift global technology power balances.
In addition, the partnership will enhance critical sectors such as health, agriculture, and fintech by tailoring AI solutions to local challenges, leading to efficiency and productivity improvements. The expansion will also take place at facilities in Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria.
Last December, Cassava Technologies secured a $90 million equity investment from the US International Development Finance Corporation, Finland's Finnfund, and Google. The company, which has various data centers and a 68,000-mile fiber optic cable network connecting Cape Town and Cairo, also operates a renewable energy company. According to Strive Masiyiwa, the company's founder and chairman, this partnership fosters Africa's AI innovation.
References: 1. TechCrunch 2. Ventureburn 3. ITWeb Africa 4. Business Insider 5. Africa News
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