NAIROBI, Kenya-Google has unveiled a new round of investments in Africa’s digital economy, including the launch of four subsea cable hubs, a KSh 1.17 billion fund for universities, and free access to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools for students.
The subsea cable hubs to be located in the north, south, east, and west regions of the continent are expected to ease connectivity bottlenecks, cut internet costs, and strengthen resilience in cross-border data flows.
Analysts say the move could further position Africa as a key link in global digital trade.
The investments build on Google’s existing infrastructure projects, such as the Equiano cable, which runs along the western seaboard, and the Umoja fiber route, which connects Africa directly to Australia via Kenya and six other countries.
According to Google, the Equiano cable alone is projected to lift GDP this year in Nigeria by Sh 1.44 trillion, in South Africa by Sh 754 billion, and in Namibia by Sh 37.7 billion.
Beyond infrastructure, the company announced free one-year subscriptions to its AI Pro plan for university students across eight countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The plan provides access to Deep Research an AI-powered academic tool and Gemini 2.5 Pro, designed to assist with assignments and research.
On the research front, Google committed Sh 1.17 billion to African universities and institutions in 2025, adding to more than Sh 2.2 billion injected over the past four years to support curriculum development and AI training.
“Africa’s digital economy holds immense potential, and it will be driven by the talent and ingenuity of its next generation. Today’s announcements, spanning AI education, advanced tools for students, and expanded connectivity, are a unified investment into the upward trajectory of the continent,” said Alex Okosi, Google’s Managing Director for Africa.
So far, Google says it has trained over seven million Africans in digital skills, with a target of an additional three million by 2030.
Its broader Sh 130 billion Africa investment plan has supported more than 150 startups across 17 countries, creating about 3,500 jobs.
Industry watchers see the latest announcement as a strategic play to cement Google’s dominance in the continent’s digital infrastructure race, as rivals like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure expand their presence.
