Africa’s digital future is receiving an additional US$9 million push courtesy of Google.

In 2021, the global search engine committed to investing US$1 billion in Africa over five years, a figure that the company had ‘definitely surpassed’, its Africa MD, Alex Okosi, told Bloomberg.

Engineering News reports that the extra US$9 million will be invested in African universities and research institutions. In addition, it is offering tertiary students free one-year Google AI Pro subscriptions.

‘Africa’s digital economy holds immense potential, and it will be driven by the talent and ingenuity of its next generation,’ said Okosi.

‘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,’ he said.

Google is also developing a new subsea cable connectivity hub in South Africa, one of four on the continent, creating digital corridors across the continent and the globe.

Moneyweb reports that the hubs are expected to be completed within the next three years and could make it cheaper for telecommunications companies to offer broadband to customers.

The hub will be part of Google’s Africa Connect infrastructure programme which includes the existing Johannesburg Google Cloud region, the Equiano cable running along the western seaboard of the continent, and the Umoja cable linking Africa to Australia.

23 September 2025
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