Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa’s Cassava Technologies plans to build Africa’s first AI factory.
The company will first deploy the high-performance, ultra-secure data centre in South Africa, powered by NVIDIA AI computing technology.
Why invest in the AI Factory?
According to the Cassava Technologies website, Masiyiwa emphasised the importance of digital infrastructure for Africa’s AI economy. “Building digital infrastructure for the AI economy is a priority if Africa is to take full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution,” he said.
Masiyiwa said their AI Factory provides the necessary infrastructure for innovation to grow, giving African businesses, startups, and researchers access to advanced AI technology to transform their ideas into real-world solutions. He added that they no longer need to seek such resources outside Africa.
Who benefits from this AI Factory?
The AI Factory will equip African businesses, governments, and researchers with cutting-edge AI computing capacity, according to Cassava Technologies. This will help them develop smarter AI products, streamline operations, and stay competitive in a fast-changing digital world.
This facility provides the supercomputers and software needed for AI model training. It also ensures that data stays within Africa’s borders. This secure and localised approach will help businesses and researchers scale AI innovations without relying on external computing infrastructure.
Launching in South Africa with Expansion Across the Continent
Cassava plans to deploy NVIDIA accelerated computing and AI software through NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) reference architectures. The AI Factory’s first phase will launch in South Africa by June 2025. Cassava plans to expand it to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. The facility will use Cassava’s high-speed fibre network and sustainable data centres to provide AI as a Service (AIaaS).
Powered by NVIDIA’s Advanced Computing Technology
The AI Factory will utilise NVIDIA GPU-based supercomputers, which will power AI model training, fine-tuning, and advanced inference capabilities. Cassava aims to introduce these accelerated computing platforms as the first NCP in Africa. It seeks to position itself as a crucial player in the continent’s AI ecosystem.
What are your thoughts on Africa’s first upcoming AI Factory?
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