African billionaire Strive Masiyiwa is set to make history by building the continent's first artificial intelligence (AI) factory, powered by Nvidia Corp. Through his company, Cassava Technologies, Masiyiwa has partnered with the leading technology firm to establish a cutting-edge AI infrastructure in Africa.

The AI factory, which is expected to be operational by June 2025, will integrate Nvidia's computing and AI software into data centers in South Africa, with plans for expansion to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. This move aims to provide African businesses, governments, and researchers with access to cutting-edge AI computing capacity, enabling them to develop smarter AI products, streamline operations, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.

According to Masiyiwa, developing AI infrastructure is crucial for Africa to fully harness the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, positioning the continent for technological and economic transformation. "Our AI factory provides the infrastructure for this innovation to scale, empowering African businesses, startups, and researchers with access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure to turn their bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs," he said.

Jaap Zuiderveld, VP EMEA at NVIDIA, echoed Masiyiwa's sentiments, highlighting the potential of AI to solve some of Africa's greatest challenges in agriculture, healthcare, energy, financial services, and other industries. As an NVIDIA Cloud Partner, Cassava is providing essential infrastructure and software to help pioneering companies and organizations accelerate AI development and foster innovation across the continent.

This development is part of a larger trend, with global tech firms increasingly eyeing Africa's digital future. Last year, Microsoft Corp. and G42, the UAE's leading AI company, announced plans to invest $1 billion in a geothermal-powered data center in Kenya, designed to expand cloud-computing capacity in East Africa and reinforce the region's potential as a growing tech hub.

The partnership between Cassava Technologies and Nvidia Corp. marks a significant milestone in Africa's technological advancement, positioning the continent for greater innovation and economic growth. As the first company to introduce accelerated computing to Africa as an Nvidia cloud partner, Cassava Technologies is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the continent's digital future.

With the AI factory, Africa is poised to take a significant leap forward in its technological capabilities, providing a platform for businesses, governments, and researchers to develop and deploy AI solutions that can drive meaningful impact across various industries. As the continent continues to evolve and grow, this development is expected to have far-reaching implications for its economic and technological future.