San Francisco: On Wednesday, Google announced that it will establish a Google Cloud region in South Africa – the first on the continent.
South Africa will join Google Cloud’s global network of 35 cloud regions and 106 zones around the world.
Last year, Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that Google would invest $1 billion in Africa over the next five years to support a range of initiatives, from improved connectivity to investments in startups, to help Africa’s digital transformation .
“The future cloud region in South Africa will bring Google Cloud services closer to our local customers, enabling them to innovate and securely deliver faster and more reliable experiences to their own customers, helping to accelerate their growth,” said Nitin Ghairia, Managing Director, Google Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to a study by AlphaBeta Economics on Google Cloud, South Africa’s cloud region will contribute more than a cumulative $2.1 billion to the country’s GDP and support the creation of more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.
Along with the cloud region, Google said it is expanding its network through the Equiano undersea cable and building dedicated cloud connectivity sites in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos and Nairobi.
“We continue to support African entrepreneurs in growing their businesses and developing their talent,” Google said.
“We have also continued to support non-profit organizations working to improve lives in Africa, with a commitment of $40 million in cash and in-kind so far,” he added.