Africa’s first ‘AI factory’ could be a milestone for the continent

Strive Masiyiwa is set to build Africa’s first AI factory powered by Nvidia

|Published 7:15 PM ET, Thursday April 03, 2025|

Africa is poised to make a significant leap in artificial intelligence (AI) development with the establishment of its first AI factory. Cassava Technologies, founded by Zimbabwean entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa, has partnered with U.S.-based tech giant NVIDIA to create this facility. The initiative aims to provide African governments, businesses, and researchers with access to advanced AI computing resources, thereby fostering innovation and technological growth across the continent. ​

The AI factory will be housed in a state-of-the-art data center equipped with NVIDIA’s cutting-edge AI software and supercomputing capabilities. Operations are set to commence in South Africa by June 2025, with plans to expand to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. This strategic deployment seeks to enhance AI infrastructure across key regions, enabling the development of solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities. ​

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This development aligns with broader efforts to integrate AI into Africa’s socio-economic framework. For instance, UNESCO has been actively involved in promoting AI initiatives on the continent, recognizing centers like Morocco’s AI Movement as Category II centers under its auspices. These efforts emphasize the importance of ethical AI governance, capacity building, and international collaboration to ensure AI serves as a catalyst for sustainable development in Africa.

The establishment of Africa’s first AI factory represents a pivotal milestone, positioning the continent to harness the transformative power of AI. By providing the necessary infrastructure and resources, this initiative is set to empower local talent, stimulate economic growth, and address pressing challenges through innovative AI-driven solutions.

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