Global implementation of Nvidia's artificial intelligence software in Africa, beginning with South Africa, by Cassava Technologies.
Nvidia and Cassava Technologies Partner to Boost AI Innovation in Africa
Nvidia's AI software is set to expand across multiple data centers in Africa, marking a significant step in the continent's technological growth. The expansion will take place at facilities in Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria, as part of a strategic partnership with Cassava Technologies.
Cassava Technologies, a digital infrastructure company, operates various data centers across Africa and has a 68,000-mile fiber optic cable network spanning from Cape Town to Cairo. The partnership with Nvidia is a key part of Cassava's strategy to establish an "AI factory" in Africa.
According to Strive Masiyiwa, the founder and chairman of Cassava Technologies, this collaboration provides Cassava with the "advanced computing capabilities necessary to foster Africa's AI innovation." The initiative is expected to cost $700 million and will see Cassava deploying Nvidia's artificial intelligence software at its South African data centers by June, with plans to add 12,000 more GPUs over the next three to four years.
This partnership is unique in that it is led by the private sector, with Cassava financing the entire project. This approach ensures localized AI infrastructure development, digital sovereignty, and data retention within Africa. The initiative is expected to empower local startups, enterprises, and governments with accessible, high-performance AI computing resources, accelerating innovation in key sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and fintech.
The initiative will provide critical AI compute capacity to over 3,000 AI practitioners initially, scaling further as infrastructure expands. It will also support homegrown AI solutions by enhancing local digital infrastructure, including data centers and fiber optic networks, driven by African expertise and financing.
Nvidia’s first direct infrastructure investment in Africa, this initiative has the potential to reshape the continent’s AI technology landscape while fostering a more balanced global technological influence.
Last December, Cassava Technologies secured a $90 million equity investment from the US International Development Finance Corporation, Finland's Finnfund, and Google. The company plans to offer AI-driven computing services to businesses across the continent, further boosting its commitment to Africa's technological growth.
References: [1] TechCabal (2021). Nvidia, Cassava to build AI-ready data centers in Africa. [online] Available at: https://techcabal.com/2021/02/16/nvidia-cassava-to-build-ai-ready-data-centers-in-africa/ [2] Ventureburn (2021). Nvidia and Cassava Technologies partner to build AI-ready data centres in Africa. [online] Available at: https://ventureburn.com/2021/02/16/nvidia-cassava-technologies-partner-to-build-ai-ready-data-centres-in-africa/ [3] Quartz Africa (2021). Nvidia is building AI data centers in Africa. [online] Available at: https://qz.com/africa/2087807/nvidia-is-building-ai-data-centers-in-africa/ [4] TechCrunch (2021). Nvidia and Cassava Technologies to build AI data centers in Africa. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/16/nvidia-and-cassava-technologies-to-build-ai-data-centers-in-africa/
Nvidia's strategic partnership with Cassava Technologies will pave the way for the deployment of advanced artificial-intelligence software across African data centers, marking a significant step in fostering AI innovation on the continent. This initiative, led by the private sector, will cost $700 million and involve the installation of Nvidia's AI software at Cassava's South African data centers by June, with plans to add 12,000 more GPUs over the next three to four years.
