Google has unveiled a major new investment to accelerate Africa’s digital future, announcing plans to build four new subsea cable hubs across the continent and committing $9 million to artificial intelligence research and training. The initiative significantly expands the company’s Africa Connect program, which has already delivered critical infrastructure such as the Equiano subsea cable, the Umoja fiber route, and a Google Cloud region in Johannesburg.
The new hubs—stretching from Egypt to South Africa and reaching key nations like Namibia, Nigeria, and Kenya—will serve at least 18 countries, delivering faster, more resilient internet access. By reducing latency and expanding bandwidth capacity, the hubs are expected to strengthen Africa’s digital integration both regionally and globally.
Recognizing that submarine cables power the majority of international data traffic, Google’s latest investment ensures Africa can meet rising demand. While the Equiano cable along the west coast has already transformed access in several markets, the new rollout will significantly increase both reach and capacity.
Beyond connectivity, Google is targeting the AI-driven economy by investing in African talent. The company will fund AI research in universities and institutes, support training programs, and expand access to platforms such as Gemini Pro for qualified students. The new $9 million commitment builds on earlier investments of over $17 million in digital skills and education, aimed at empowering millions of young Africans to pursue careers in AI, machine learning, and cloud engineering.
This comes at a time when Africa is rapidly adopting AI, with reports showing that nearly 78% of young people use AI tools weekly. Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa are already attracting major tech investments, reinforcing Africa’s role as an emerging hub for digital innovation.
To date, Google has provided internet access to over 100 million Africans, funded startups in 17 countries, and trained more than 7 million people in digital skills. With the new subsea cable hubs and AI-focused funding, the Africa Connect program is advancing toward its goal of broadening opportunity, strengthening infrastructure, and securing Africa’s place in the global digital economy.
