Zimbabwean billionaire includes SA in plans for network of AI factories in Africa

Rutendo Hwindingwi, founding director of Tribe Africa Advisory, joins Stephen Grootes for the Africa Business Focus on The Money Show.

When it comes to the development of artificial intelligence, now is Africa’s AI moment, says Arthur Goldstuck in his fresh version of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to AI', subtitled 'The African Edge'.

At the same time, though, it's vital to get the necessary infrastructure investment on the continent, comments Africa business specialist Rutendo Hwindingwi.

On The Money Show, Hwindingwi welcomes the news that Zimbabwe's Strive Masiyiwa is planning an investment of close to R12.5 billion ($720 million) in an AI network in Africa.

The billionaire businessman is the founder and executive chairperson of the Econet Group and Cassava Technologies.

Masiyiwa is reportedly going to establish five AI factories across Africa, with one to be built in South Africa.

This was among theprojects unveiled at the recent Unstoppable Africa 2025 event, held on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80).

Masiyiwa emphasized the need to turn Africa into 'a startup continent', creating wealth and jobs through entrepreneurship.

"And we have to drive (this) through the entrepreneurship of 'the now', which is AI."

Strive Masiyiwa, Founder - Cassava Technologies

Why Masiyiwa's AI investment is particularly important, is because it will address one of Africa's big challenges, says Hwindingwi.

"We have a lot of AI capability, a lot of AI talent that can be skilled up... but only 5% of this talent at the moment has got access to infrastructure that allows them to scale."

Rutendo Hwindingwi, Founding Director - Tribe Africa Advisory

"The key countries that Masiyiwa is wanting to invest in are the Big Four, plus one - so South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and Morocco. He's struck a deal with Nvidia and they plan to spend $720 million with regards to investing in this space."

Rutendo Hwindingwi, Founding Director - Tribe Africa Advisory

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to Africa Business Focus (AI network discussion at 4:15)