For the world's largest youth population (Africa is expected to reach more than 830 million times by 2050), the rapid expansion of AI identifies both important opportunities and urgent calls for action.
I began my lifelong learning journey in Zimbabwe as a young engineering student. Through my research project on neural networks, I realized the deep potential of AI and the need to benefit everyone.
At Google, we believe that access to connectivity and AI that requires training to use it, as well as connectivity and products, is essential to unlocking opportunities and expanding the innovation capabilities of young Africans. AI is how Google offers its mission to make information universally accessible and useful, and how it changes knowledge and learning. Using AI collectively gives you the opportunity to democratize access from the start, ensuring that digital disparities do not become AI disparities, which is useful for everyone.
Connectivity unlocks the possibilities of digital in Africa
For decades, Google has supported the internet connection in Africa since its investment in SEACOM cables in 2006. In 2021, Google pledged $1 billion over five years to promote this mission. We have surpassed that commitment early, investing over $1 billion to help develop the reliable, resilient and secure infrastructure that is essential for Africans to harness the power of AI.
Today we mark another milestone in Africa's commitment to a digital future. Google is unveiling four strategic submarine cable connection hubs in the north, south, east and western regions of Africa. This investment will create new digital corridors within Africa and between Africa and the rest of the world. Ultimately, it will deepen international connections and resilience, and promote economic growth and opportunity.
This is the latest addition to the Africa Connect infrastructure program. We're building vital connectivity across the continent, including the Google Cloud region in Johannesburg serving users across the continent, the Equiano cable running along the entire western seaboard of the continent, and Umoja, the first fiber optic route to directly connect Africa with Australia (running through Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa).
Previous investments have made 100 million Africans the first time they have access to the internet. Also, the Ikuano Cable alone is expected to increase real GDP in Nigeria, South Africa and Namibia at an estimated $11.1 billion, $5.8 billion and $290 million, respectively. Additionally, Gemini is now available in the Google distributed cloud, allowing more entrepreneurs, businesses, governments and developers to use advanced AI models from anywhere, with greater security, reliability and resilience.
Google's AI can accelerate youth-driven learning and innovation
Enabling African youths to learn, innovate and lead is essential for Africa's development and economic growth. That's why we are working on AI for university students (ages 18 and over) from all over the continent. Starting in Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Zimbabwe, we offer a free one-year subscription to the Google AI Pro plan that will be available in the coming weeks.
Deep research allows students to save time with custom research reports and provide detailed information from hundreds of sites on the web. With increased access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, students can access and access a complete suite of pro tools, including homework help and guided learning in Gemini, a new mode that acts as a learning companion.
By providing students with advanced AI tools for research, problem solving, coding and content creation, we enable them to directly address challenges and pursue continental opportunities, thereby contributing to economic growth and social advancement.
Helps you build skills and solutions
It is important to equip AI skills. To date, we will train 7 million Africans and by 2030 we will train another 3 million students, youth and teachers. Google is strengthening local capabilities by providing African universities and research institutions with funding, training, training, computing and access to advanced AI models over the past four years.
Young people face barriers to access knowledge and information, in addition to the tools and products of African languages, limiting their ability to benefit from them. Last year, we added 110 new languages to Google Translate, including over 30 African languages. Based on that, it has expanded open datasets, assessments and speech models for over 40 African languages, plans to reach over 50 languages and publish 24 open audio datasets next year.
The pioneering work of AI research teams in Kenya and Ghana has seen the power to enable research and innovation in Africa. Together with local partners, these Google teams lead cutting-edge research that benefits Africa and the world, including advanced flood forecasting, open building data, farmer support and support. We aim to reach 500 million Africans with AI-powered innovations that will help us tackle social challenges by 2030.
The future of Africa's innovation
AI creates unprecedented opportunities that benefit everyone, and Google is committed to making it a reality for people, businesses and communities in Africa. Today's announcement is another example of how Google continues to expand connectivity, improve product access and skills across the continent, and enable Africa-led innovation. It won't stop here.
