Africa’s very own cloud service

Google has made a groundbreaking announcement by launching a cloud service specifically for the African continent, with all the infrastructure to be hosted in South Africa. Alistair Mokoena, the Country Director for Google South Africa, joined CNBC Africa to discuss the impact and implications of this exciting development. Last year, Google committed to investing $1 billion in Africa over the next five years, with a significant portion allocated to infrastructure development. The recent launch of the AQIANO subsea cable, connecting Portugal to Cape Town, marked a significant step forward in enhancing internet connectivity and reducing costs across the continent. The new cloud region in Africa will provide customers with increased options and reduced latency, leading to faster internet speeds and lower connectivity costs. This initiative aims to empower users, including businesses, academic institutions, and governments, by providing access to digital tools and technologies. Google Cloud prides itself on being environmentally friendly and sustainable, aligning with the 17 sustainable development goals. The clean and carbon-neutral operations of Google Cloud set a standard for emissions reduction and environmental impact. The upcoming data centers in South Africa, with strategic connection points in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Lagos, will offer comprehensive cloud capabilities across the continent. The construction of these data centers is expected to take 12 to 24 months, with plans to expand services to customers in the near future. The cloud services will benefit end consumers by providing access to computing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analytics tools. Businesses like Takealot and Twig of Food have already leveraged Google Cloud to enhance their operations and ensure seamless experiences for their customers. The partnership between Google Cloud and these companies has facilitated faster internet speeds and reliable service, particularly during high-traffic periods like Black Friday. Alistair emphasized that Africa presents a significant business opportunity rather than just potential, and Google's investment reflects their commitment to unlocking this opportunity. In addition to transforming industries and enhancing user experiences, Google's cloud service is expected to create 40,000 jobs by 2030, contributing to economic growth and boosting local GDP. The impact assessment studies commissioned by Google indicate significant job creation and GDP growth from initiatives like the subsea cable and data centers. The skills required for these roles emphasize the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Google's initiatives such as the African Investment Fund and Start-ups Black Founders Fund are designed to support small businesses and tech startups, fostering entrepreneurship and job creation. Alistair encourages young people to consider becoming job creators and innovators, leveraging digital transformation to drive economic growth and overcome challenges in the African market. With millions of Africans set to come online in the coming years, the opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital space are vast and promising.