Google Will Establish its Debut African Cloud Region in South Africa

South Africa is about to join Google’s 35 cloud regions and 106 zones global network.

Through the use of Google Cloud regions, users can access a number of services from certain geographical locations, including cloud storage, processing engines, and key management systems.

According to Google, customers in Africa are already utilizing the Cloud to solve their most urgent business difficulties and benefit from contemporary technology.

For instance, Takealot developed its eCommerce platform on Google Cloud, which gives local customers a “hassle-free” online shopping experience while helping the business avoid system disruptions during busy times like Black Friday.

Google Cloud collaborates with a Kenyan firm called Twiga Foods to address and enhance food security there.

Why South Africa?

By 2030, the South African cloud region would enable the creation of nearly 40,000 jobs and a total GDP of $2.1 billion, according to a report by AlphaBeta Economics.

Niral Patel, the Google Cloud Lead for Africa, asserts that South Africa has the biggest demand and that it’s just a means to give customers choices.

Sub-Saharan Africa on Google Nitin Gajria, the managing director, on the other hand, asserts that South Africa is merely the country’s first destination in Africa. He did not, however, offer a timeframe for the Nigerian and Nairobin data centers.

Google’s earlier initiatives in Africa

At the first Google for Africa event in October of last year, Google outlined its aspirations for the African continent.

The launch of Equiano, a subsea Internet cable that will increase Africa’s Internet capacity, is one of the most significant of them. A $50 million startup fund, loans for small firms, grants for non-profits, and other financial assistance are also included.

Since then, Google has invested in three businesses through its $50 million Africa Investment Fund: SafeBoda, a mobile transportation software for Uganda and Nigeria; Carry1st, a mobile gaming startup; and Lori Systems, a Kenyan e-logistics company.

In order to innovate and create better products for people in Africa and the rest of the globe, Google announced plans to establish its first African product development center in Nairobi in 2022.

To improve the value of Maps, the internet giant also added over 300,000 kilometers of fresh video to Street View in Kenya, South Africa, Senegal, and Nigeria.

It makes Google Maps navigation and virtual neighborhood discovery easier. Additionally, it is extending the service to Rwanda, bringing the total number of African countries using Street View up to 11.