Zimbabwean billionaire and telecoms tycoon Strive Masiyiwa has pledged a massive US$720 million investment to establish Africa’s first network of artificial intelligence (AI) factories, a move set to revolutionize the continent’s tech landscape.
The initiative, led through his company Cassava Technologies, seeks to bridge Africa’s AI infrastructure gap, with Masiyiwa noting that 95% of African AI talent lacks access to the computing power needed to develop advanced systems.
The first AI factory will open in South Africa by June 2025, equipped with 3,000 Nvidia GPUs already attracting bookings from African researchers and startups. Additional sites are planned for Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Morocco within a year.
Cassava’s president, Hardy Pemhiwa, emphasized African ownership in tech investment“If we don’t take the first step with our own resources, however limited, we can’t expect outsiders to go first.”
The project is backed by global technology giants including Nvidia, Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, and Anthropic. A recent partnership with Google Cloud will also give African enterprises hybrid access to AI services while ensuring data sovereignty remains within local jurisdictions.
Africa’s AI market, currently valued at US$4.5 billion, is projected to soar to US$16.5 billion by 2030, driven by applications in healthcare, agriculture, and finance. However, the continent contributes less than 1% of global AI research due to infrastructure shortages, limited funding, and poor internet access.
Masiyiwa’s track record spanning Econet Wireless, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and Africa Data Centres adds credibility to the ambitious rollout. Analysts say the project could spark a new era of indigenous AI innovation, cutting reliance on costly international cloud providers.
Still, challenges remain, including power grid stability, regulatory alignment, and skills development. Success will depend on close collaboration with governments and local tech communities.
If successful, Masiyiwa’s AI factories could position Africa as a serious global contender in artificial intelligence, while providing a model for emerging markets worldwide.
