Google Cloud announces new AI, infrastructure initiatives at inaugural Africa summit

The event brought together about 3 000 business leaders, developers, public sector representatives and partners under the theme Building for Africa with Google Cloud. The summit follows the launch of Google’s Johannesburg Cloud Region in 2025.

Opening the summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said the event reflected Africa's growing role in the global cloud computing sector.

“Today’s Google Cloud Summit affirms Africa’s position as a core growth region for the global cloud ecosystem. As we step boldly into the age of artificial intelligence, our aspiration is to anchor South Africa as a catalyst for the continent's digital ascendancy. By building robust infrastructure to harness this technology, we are doing more than modernising our economy; we are taking a quantum leap into the future.”

Google said the announcements build on its previously announced US$1 billion investment commitment for Africa, $37 million in AI skills and research funding, and the launch of its AI Community Centre in Accra.

Among the new initiatives is a Digital Exchange Port in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. The facility will serve as the first of four planned connectivity hubs on the continent and will connect Africa to Australia through the Umoja subsea cable, while also linking to a new subsea route to India. Google said the infrastructure is intended to improve internet connectivity and strengthen the reliability of cloud services across Africa.

The company also announced the establishment of what it describes as Africa’s first applied AI laboratory. Based at the Accra AI Community Centre in Ghana, the Google Africa Applied AI Lab will pair African entrepreneurs with Google researchers and provide early access to the company's AI models. The programme is intended to support startups developing AI solutions for challenges in areas including work, education, entertainment and software development. Applications will remain open until 31 August 2026.

Google further announced a partnership with The Akuna Group to provide AI-focused creative education for underrepresented creators across Africa. Backed by more than US$1 million in Google.org funding, the programme aims to expand access to AI tools and digital skills.

In South Africa, Google said it will work with WeThinkCode through its Economic and Community Development programme to establish a R3 million digital innovation centre at the George Tabor Campus of South West Gauteng TVET College in Soweto. The facility is intended to support digital skills development for young people.

The company also confirmed that applications for the 2026 South African cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator will open on 21 July. Fifteen startups will be selected to participate in an AI-focused programme offering mentorship and equity-free funding as part of Google's commitment to support 50 African startups between 2024 and 2028.

Google Senior Vice President for Research, Labs, Technology & Society James Manyika said the company intended to expand its investment in Africa's AI ecosystem.

“The AI opportunity for Africa is significant, and Google is committed to doing our part working with Africans to help Africa realise it. Building on our past commitments, we're making new investments in critical areas: infrastructure, African-led innovation, and education and skill building. From a new Digital Exchange Port in the Eastern Cape to Africa's first Applied AI Lab, we're harnessing technical progress and building partnerships to amplify and scale Africa's incredible vibrancy, hustle, and innovation for the world.”

Maureen Costello, Vice President for UK, Ireland and Sub-Saharan Africa at Google Cloud, said the company's Johannesburg Cloud Region was expected to contribute an estimated US$90.6 billion (R1.7 trillion) in additional gross economic output and support nearly 315,000 jobs by 2030.

“African enterprises have moved decisively past the initial phases of AI experimentation. Powered by our Johannesburg Cloud Region, which is estimated to contribute US$90.6 billion (R1.7 trillion) in additional gross economic output and support 314 900 jobs by 2030, leading organisations like Vodacom, Discovery, Pepkor and Naspers are establishing the essential framework to build and deploy autonomous agents that solve uniquely African challenges in real-world environments.”

Google said the latest announcements complement its existing programmes across Africa, including partnerships to develop AI tools for agriculture and food security, support for AI-driven startups, and digital skills initiatives through Google Career Certificate scholarships.