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Google announces US$5.8mn investment to accelerate AI skills in Sub-Saharan Africa, empowering local talent and innovation. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Google has announced a significant commitment of US$5.8mn aimed at accelerating AI skilling initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa

This investment seeks to empower individuals and organisations to leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth and social impact.

In a recent statement, Matt Brittin, president of business & operations for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, emphasised the transformative potential of AI in driving economic development and addressing pressing challenges such as healthcare and climate change. According to Google's Digital Opportunity of Africa report, AI could contribute up to US$30bn to Sub-Saharan Africa's economy by 2030. However, to unlock this potential, the tech giant stresses the importance of equipping the workforce with essential AI skills and resources.

The announced funding will support a range of initiatives aimed at fostering a comprehensive understanding of AI across various sectors. Key focus areas include:

• Empowering workers: Providing essential AI skills training to individuals across diverse industries.
• Educating youth: Promoting awareness of AI safety and ethics among teenagers to ensure responsible use.
• Supporting non-profits: Equipping leaders of non-profit organisations with foundational AI skills to enhance their impact.
• Assisting the public sector: Enabling governments to develop and implement AI solutions for public services and policymaking.

Google highlighted examples of African innovators already utilising AI to address critical issues. One notable project is Jacaranda Health in Kenya, which uses AI to provide vital maternal and newborn health services in remote areas. Additionally, AirQo, a project led by Makerere University, combines AI and air monitoring technology to combat pollution across major African cities.

How is Google Innovating Africa?

Google's commitment to research and development is evident in its Google Research Africa centers located in Accra, Ghana, and Nairobi, Kenya. These centers focus on creating innovative AI solutions tailored to African challenges while contributing to global advancements. Projects such as Open Buildings, which employs AI to identify and map buildings across the continent, exemplify this focus.

Furthermore, Google is enhancing its presence in Africa with the establishment of a Product Development Center in Nairobi, dedicated to creating products tailored for the African market. This includes innovations in voice search and an HTML5 gaming platform that has already attracted one million daily active users.

Recognizing that collaboration is essential for realising Africa's AI potential, Google is actively partnering with governments, non-profits, educational institutions, and the private sector. In Nigeria, for example, the company is working with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to support AI talent development and empower local startups.

With this commitment, Google aims to unlock Africa's extraordinary potential in AI innovation, fostering an environment where technology can empower communities and drive meaningful change across the continent.

The alliance seeks to generate a positive impact on the lives of nearly 30,000 children in Africa and Latin America. (Image source: American Tower)

American Tower, a global leader in digital communications infrastructure, has announced an expanded partnership with ProFuturo, a digital education initiative supported by the Telefónica Foundation and "la Caixa" Foundation, to enhance digital inclusion in Nigeria

Following a successful launch in Kenya, the programme aims to continue transforming education for children in Africa by leveraging technology to bridge the educational gap.

This collaboration is designed to benefit underserved communities through various social programs that improve quality of life and promote equal access to the digital world. With the expansion into Nigeria, the initiative is expected to impact nearly 30,000 children in vulnerable communities across Nigeria, Kenya, and parts of Latin America, providing them with quality digital education through innovative projects.

Additionally, the initiative will offer training to over 1,000 teachers, equipping them to deliver this education effectively. The project promises to create a significant international network of educators committed to teaching, learning, and sharing knowledge, ultimately fostering better education worldwide.

Magdalena Brier, managing director of ProFuturo, points out that this agreement highlights the enormous potential of these types of alliances in favor of digital inclusion and how they contribute to strengthening the positive impact of educational projects on the ground, such as what ProFuturo has been developing since 2016. She said, "In this way, education with technology has enormous potential to help reduce the educational gap, thanks to its reach and capacity for inclusion, bringing high-quality content to the most difficult environments, which would be very difficult to access in any other way."

American Tower’s Digital Communities are digitally connected, technology-enabled spaces that offer digital literacy and youth education, financial literacy and adult vocational training, or health care services.

Following the principles established by the United Nations Global Compact and the Sustainable Development Goals, American Tower and ProFuturo share the same vision: Access to quality education in complex environments is essential to reduce poverty and inequality in the region. Through this strategic collaboration, it is expected to encourage and promote an increase in knowledge, while promoting innovative practices and strengthening educational digital transformation in the coming years.

Suzette Victor, director, Sustainability, ATC Africa, stated, “In Africa, closing the digital divide is crucial to ensuring that no one is left behind and our partnership with ProFuturo will strengthen our resolve to reach individuals in underserved communities with the transformative power of technology in education. The expansion of this partnership to Nigeria will not only address immediate educational needs but will also lay the groundwork for a future where every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their circumstances.”

Equinix's extensive global network, JN1 is set to enhance the region's growing digital infrastructure and interconnection capabilities. (Image source: Equinix)

Equinix, Inc., a global leader in digital infrastructure, has launched its first International Business Exchange data centre in South Africa, located in Germiston, Johannesburg. Known as JN1, the facility is now open to customers and partners, offering businesses of all sizes access to cloud and connectivity services

Positioned as part of Equinix's extensive global network, JN1 is set to enhance the region's growing digital infrastructure and interconnection capabilities.

As Southern Africa's economic hub, Johannesburg is a prime location for Equinix's new venture. The city serves as a key interconnection point, benefiting from a network of submarine cables along South Africa’s coast and boasting a strong presence in financial, industrial, and professional services. These advantages make Johannesburg an ideal hub for local and international firms, drawing significant investment and positioning it as a gateway to the broader African market.

Johannesburg’s digital revolution

JN1's initial phase offers more than 20,000 square feet (1,900+ sq m) of colocation space, with expansion plans to exceed 100,000 square feet (9,515 sq m). The facility is equipped with high power capacity for dense deployments and supports liquid cooling solutions. It currently houses 700 cabinets, with a future target of 3,475 cabinets once fully developed.

Sandile Dube, Equinix's managing director for South Africa, emphasised the impact of the new facility, stating, “Our brand new JN1 data center in Johannesburg serves as a powerful platform for people and businesses to connect, innovate, and flourish not only in South Africa but also beyond. The new site presents a truly unique opportunity for South Africans as it places us firmly on the map and will be a key interconnection hub on the continent to some of the fastest growing countries and businesses in the world. It is a proud day for me to be leading this expansion into South Africa and I believe that this is a crucial milestone for the country in its digital and connectivity journey for thousands of residents.”

Early deployments at JN1 include prominent South African firms such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Intelys Technology Group, SEACOM, WorkOnline Communications, and the INX-ZA Johannesburg Internet Exchange (JINX).

Nigerian government signs MoU with Ericsson for 5G tech development, aiming to drive digital growth and innovation in Nigeria. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Nigerian Government has entered into a partnership with Ericsson to explore the potential of 5G connectivity within the country.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during an October 18 visit by a Nigerian government delegation to Ericsson’s global headquarters in Sweden, led by vice-president Kashim Shettima.

This MoU aims to establish a cooperative framework between the Nigerian Government and Ericsson Nigeria, focusing on the development, deployment, and innovation of 5G technology. As Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria represents over 15%of the continent’s population.

Nigerian Innovation

The partnership’s key objectives include supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation goals, driving economic growth, and enhancing public services using advanced, secure 5G technology. Additionally, the collaboration aims to foster knowledge exchange, build capacity within the tech sector, support the creation of innovation hubs and tech incubators, and improve digital literacy and skills development across Nigeria.

"It was an honor to show the Vice President, and his delegation colleagues, Ericsson’s leadership in 5G and technology capabilities at first-hand. We look forward to working in close partnership with the Nigerian government to develop the innovation potential of 5G for Nigerian businesses, citizens and for national digital competitiveness," said Patrick Johansson, president, Market Area Middle East and Africa.

Ericsson has had a presence in Nigeria since 1978, supporting network deployments, including the launch of the nation’s first GSM network in 2001.