Cassava Technologies has announced plans to construct Africa’s first AI factory, a state-of-the-art data center facility powered by NVIDIA’s advanced AI computing technology. The initiative is set to revolutionize the continent’s AI landscape by providing businesses, governments, and researchers with the high-performance computing infrastructure needed to develop AI-driven solutions, optimize operations, and enhance global competitiveness—all while keeping data within Africa.
According to a statement from the company, Cassava will begin deploying NVIDIA’s computing and AI software at its South African data centers by June 2025, with plans to expand to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria. The AI factory will operate on Cassava’s pan-African, high-speed, ultra-low-latency fiber-optic network, supported by sustainable data centers designed to deliver AI as a Service (AIaaS).
At the core of the AI factory will be NVIDIA GPU-based supercomputers, enabling businesses and researchers to accelerate AI model training, fine-tune existing models, and enhance advanced inference capabilities. Cassava aims to be the first NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) to introduce these cutting-edge computing platforms in Africa, positioning itself as a key player in the continent’s growing AI ecosystem.
Cassava emphasized that the AI factory will provide African businesses and governments with the necessary AI computing power to scale innovation, increase productivity, and drive technological advancements. By hosting AI infrastructure locally, the company aims to ensure that Africans can build, train, scale, and deploy AI models in a secure and compliant environment, aligned with both global and local data regulations.
Speaking on the project, Cassava Technologies’ Founder and Chairman, Strive Masiyiwa, underscored the importance of digital infrastructure in Africa’s AI-driven future. He noted that the fourth industrial revolution presents a unique opportunity for Africa, but without a robust AI infrastructure, the continent risks lagging behind.
“Our AI Factory provides the infrastructure for innovation to scale, empowering African businesses, startups, and researchers with access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure to turn their bold ideas into real-world breakthroughs. Now, they don’t have to look beyond Africa to get it,” Masiyiwa said.
He further highlighted that Cassava’s partnership with NVIDIA will provide Africa with the advanced computing capabilities needed to foster AI-driven innovation while reinforcing the continent’s digital independence.
NVIDIA’s Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Jaap Zuiderveld, echoed Masiyiwa’s sentiments, emphasizing AI’s potential to address Africa’s most pressing challenges. He pointed out that AI is transforming industries such as agriculture, healthcare, energy, and financial services, creating new opportunities across the continent.
“As an NVIDIA Cloud Partner, Cassava is providing the essential infrastructure and software needed to help pioneering companies and organizations accelerate AI development, fostering innovation across Africa,” Zuiderveld said.
While Cassava is positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s AI computing space, it is not the only player investing in AI infrastructure on the continent. Last year, Microsoft and G42, the United Arab Emirates’ top AI firm, announced plans to construct a $1 billion geothermal-powered data center in Kenya. The project, part of a multi-year strategy to expand cloud-computing capacity in East Africa, aims to address the region’s energy challenges while supporting the continent’s growing AI ecosystem.
G42 will lead the initial investment and oversee the construction of the facility in Olkaria, an area with abundant geothermal resources. This move is expected to provide a reliable energy source in a continent often plagued by power shortages. The project is also aligned with Microsoft’s broader sustainability goals, as the company continues to invest in clean energy solutions for its global data center operations.
As AI adoption accelerates across Africa, investments like Cassava’s AI factory and the G42-Microsoft project highlight the increasing demand for robust digital infrastructure. With governments and businesses looking to leverage AI for economic growth, the coming years could see Africa emerge as a key player in the global AI landscape.
