by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the is strengthening its position as Africa’s leading digital investment destination as global technology companies expand their investments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.
Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa said growing commitments from companies such as Google, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft and Mastercard reflected rising confidence in South Africa’s digital economy and its potential for long-term growth.
Google last week hosted its first African Cloud Summit in Johannesburg, where it announced several investments under its ‘Building for Africa’ initiative.
These include a Digital Exchange Port in the Eastern Cape, the first of four connectivity hubs planned across Africa to improve cloud service reliability.
The technology company will also establish a R3 million digital innovation centre at South West Gauteng Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Soweto and later this month open applications for its 2026 Google for Startups Accelerator.
The programme will provide AI training, mentorship and funding to 15 South African start-ups.
The latest commitments build on Amazon Web Services’ planned R30.4 billion investment in South African cloud infrastructure, announced in 2023, and Microsoft’s R5.4 billion investment in local hyperscale cloud and AI infrastructure announced last year. Mastercard has also launched its Africa Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence, with a phased rollout beginning in South Africa and Nigeria.
Ramaphosa said digital infrastructure would be a key driver of economic growth, job creation and improved public service delivery.
He noted Google’s estimate that its Johannesburg Cloud Region could contribute about R1.7 trillion to South Africa’s economy by 2030 while supporting around 315,000 jobs.
The President said the expansion of the digital economy must be matched by effective regulation to protect data privacy, strengthen cybersecurity and safeguard national digital sovereignty.
He added that government would continue investing in domestic cloud infrastructure while working with business and other stakeholders to build a secure, inclusive and globally competitive digital economy.
– CAJ News