Onome Amuge

Google has unveiled a fresh round of investments in Africa aimed at expanding connectivity and accelerating the adoption of artificial intelligence, as global technology groups intensify efforts to secure a foothold in one of the fastest-growing digital markets.

The tech giant on Wednesday announced a package of commitments spanning subsea cable hubs, free access to advanced AI tools for students and expanded training initiatives. The investments, part of its long-term Africa Connect programme, reinforce a strategy that blends infrastructure with capacity building in a region where competition from rivals including Amazon, Microsoft and Chinese tech players is mounting.

Amongst the most notable of the plans is a new set of four subsea connectivity hubs, positioned in Africa’s north, south, east and west. The move is designed to create new digital corridors between the continent and global markets, enhancing resilience and reducing reliance on a small number of data routes.

The new hubs will complement existing assets such as the Equiano cable running along Africa’s western seaboard and Umoja, the first fibre-optic system linking the continent directly with Australia. Google also launched its first African cloud region in Johannesburg last year, aimed at servicing both local and multinational clients.

By Google’s own estimates, the Equiano cable alone will lift GDP this year by $11.1bn in Nigeria, $5.8 billion in South Africa and $290 million in Namibia. In total, the company says it has brought internet access to 100 million Africans for the first time.

The latest phase of Google’s investment emphasises youth-led innovation. Starting in eight countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, students over 18 will receive one-year free subscriptions to Google’s AI Pro package. The bundle gives access to advanced models such as Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Research, offering assistance with assignments and generating tailored research reports.

The scheme reflects both the scale of Africa’s youth demographic, nearly 60 per cent of its population is under 25, and the view among policymakers and investors that the continent could leapfrog stages of industrial development by embedding AI in education and entrepreneurship.

To that end, Google said it has already trained seven million Africans in digital skills and intends to train three million more by 2030. It has committed $17 million over the past four years to African universities and research institutions and pledged an additional $9 million in the coming year, providing funding, curricula, compute and access to AI models.

“Africa’s digital economy holds immense potential, and it will be driven by the talent and ingenuity of its next generation. We are committed to providing the foundational infrastructure, the cutting-edge tools, and the financial support necessary for Africa’s youth to innovate, lead, and build a thriving digital world,”said Alex Okosi, Google’s managing director for Africa. 

Google’s latest announcement showcases how Africa has become a strategic battleground for global technology companies. The continent is expected to add nearly 300 million new internet users by 2030, according to the World Bank, with demand for cloud services and digital infrastructure rising rapidly.

Since pledging $1 billion in African investments in 2021, Google has supported 153 startups across 17 countries, helping them raise $300 million and create 3,500 jobs. The company positions these initiatives as part of a development agenda, but they also serve to embed its services and platforms deeper into local markets.