Nairobi
Thursday, 5 2024
By Teddy Makori
Microsoft and G42 have announced a comprehensive package of digital investments in Kenya, as part of an initiative with Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.
G42, a technology group that invents visionary artificial intelligence,alongside partners, will project an initial investment of Ksh.132 billion which will among other priorities, design and construct a state of the art data centre campus in Olkaria,entirely powered by renewable geothermal energy and designed with modern water conservation technology.
The data centre will run and provide acess to Microsoft Azure through a new East Africa Cloud Region, which will become operational within 24 months of the signing of the definitive agreements.
This cloud region will provide customers access to scalable, secure, high-speed cloud and AI services to accelerate cloud adoption and the digital transformation of businesses, customers and partners across Kenya and East Africa.
This initiative is one of the fruits born from President William Ruto’s US state visit where the head of state is expected to, alongside G42 and Microsoft, ink the formal letter of intent to spearhead the deal.
The initiative will bear four additional packagez including a local-language AI model development and research, an East Africa Innovation Lab coupled with broad AI digital skills training, an international and local connectivity investments and collaboration with the Kenyan government to support safe and secure cloud services across East Africa.
“This partnership is bigger than technology itself. It is about coming together of three countries with a common vision of a nation empowered by technology, where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive in the global digital landscape.
It’s about building a future where Kenya flourishes as a digital leader,” President William Ruto said on the partnership.
“In the spirit of mutual growth and shared prosperity, this LOI is a stepping stone toward a brighter, more connected and digitally empowered future for the USA, Kenya and the UAE.
It embodies our collective aspiration to bridge the digital divide, accelerate technological innovation, and pave the way for a thriving digital economy that benefits the entire African continent and beyond.”The president added.