South Africa backs cloud and digital infrastructure expansion

President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted Google’s cloud and AI-related investments in South Africa and cited prior cloud infrastructure commitments by other major technology firms.

• Google announced projects under its “Building for Africa” initiative, including a Digital Exchange Port in the Eastern Cape, a R3 million digital innovation center at South West Gauteng TVET College in Soweto, and the opening of applications later in 2026 for the Google for Startups Accelerator South African cohort.
• Ramaphosa said Amazon Web Services pledged R30.4 billion in 2023 for South Africa’s cloud infrastructure, Microsoft committed R5.4 billion last year for hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure, and Mastercard launched an Africa Cybersecurity Center of Excellence rolling out in South Africa and Nigeria.