Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa is set to make history by building Africa's first artificial intelligence (AI) factory, powered by Nvidia Corp. Through his company, Cassava Technologies, Masiyiwa 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.

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 further expansion to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Africa's technological advancement, positioning the continent for economic transformation and harnessing the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Masiyiwa emphasized the importance of developing AI infrastructure in Africa, stating that it is crucial for the continent to fully leverage the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The AI factory will provide the necessary infrastructure for innovation to scale, empowering African businesses, startups, and researchers to turn their bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs without having to look beyond Africa for cutting-edge AI infrastructure.

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.

Cassava Technologies is set to become the first company to introduce accelerated computing to Africa as an Nvidia cloud partner. This partnership is expected to have far-reaching implications for the continent's technological advancement, enabling African businesses, governments, and researchers to harness the power of AI and drive innovation in various industries.

As Africa continues to evolve as a significant player in the global technology landscape, initiatives like the AI factory are crucial in bridging the digital divide and unlocking the continent's full potential. With Cassava Technologies and Nvidia at the forefront, Africa is poised to take a significant leap forward in its technological journey.