Microsoft and G42the leading artificial intelligence company of the United Arab Emirates, will work together to build a $1 billion geothermal-powered data center; in Kenya.
The initial phase of a multi-year plan to dramatically increase cloud computing capacity in East Africa.
Details
G42 will lead the initial investment and handle the construction of the facility Olkariawhich has abundant geothermal resources — a key benefit on a continent plagued by power outages and a potential boon to Microsoft’s efforts to meet its climate goals.
The first phase will have capacity 100 megawatts and is expected to be operational in about two years.
Microsoft will use its initial cloud computing power to create an East Africa region for its Azure products, boosting the company’s ability to sell its services there.
As part of the deal, the Kenyan government has agreed to move more of its services to the cloud, which Microsoft hopes will fuel overall demand.
Eventually the complex of data centers will handle artificial intelligence services and could provide cloud computing to nearby countries such as Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
The companies did not say how long it would take to complete the entire project or how much it would cost.
Because this matters
The continent is emerging as a new arena of global competition for the US as it seeks to counter Chinese and Russian incursions there.
Chinese companies like Huawei Technologies have invested heavily in Africa, building data centers, internet services, surveillance systems and smart power grids.
What they say
“This is the single biggest step in advancing the availability of digital technology in, I think, the history of the country,” said the President of Microsoft Brad Smithwho has been visiting Kenya, where the company has 500 software developers, for nearly 15 years.
“This shows what G42 and Microsoft have an opportunity to do together that neither of us could do separately. I honestly think it shows that what the United States and the UAE can do together is helping to bring technology to new countries, especially across Africa.”
Between the lines
In April, Microsoft agreed to invest $1.5 billion at the G42, an agreement brokered by the Biden administration in an effort to limit China’s access to AI technology. As part of the deal, G42 agreed to sever business relationships with Chinese companies, including Huawei, and use American technology instead.
The company’s push into Kenya is part of the UAE’s drive to gain geopolitical influence in Africa. G42 will work on large language models for Swahili and English and add other African languages in the future, Xiao said. The company will also create AI models for agriculture and other sectors.
Microsoft’s cybersecurity division will offer regional customers protection from hackers and help bring wireless broadband to 20 million people, or about 40 percent of Kenya’s population, by the end of next year, Smith said.
Source: Bloomberg
Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Twitterand Instagramand subscribe to our weekly newsletter to make sure you don’t miss any news.
Related