Google has announced that its first cloud region in Africa is now open for business. The new region, located in Cape Town, South Africa, will offer customers faster and more reliable access to Google Cloud services and products.
The Cape Town cloud region is the 24th Google Cloud region globally and the first one on the African continent. It consists of three availability zones, which are geographically separate locations within the region that are designed to provide high levels of reliability and redundancy. Customers can distribute their workloads across multiple zones to protect against service disruptions.
Google Cloud provides a range of services for businesses of all sizes and industries, including infrastructure, platform, and software as a service (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS). Some of the popular Google Cloud products include Compute Engine, App Engine, Cloud Storage, BigQuery, Cloud Functions, and Cloud Run. Customers can also access advanced solutions for artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and security.
According to Google, the Cape Town cloud region will benefit customers in several ways. First, it will improve latency for end users in Africa by up to 50% compared to the nearest region in Europe. Second, it will enable customers to store their data locally and comply with data sovereignty regulations. Third, it will support Google’s commitment to environmental sustainability by using renewable energy sources.
Some of the customers that are already using the Cape Town cloud region include Absa Group, a leading African financial services group; Travelstart, Africa’s largest online travel agency; and African e-commerce platform Jumia. These customers have reported improved performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency by leveraging Google Cloud.
Google also announced that it is expanding its Google Cloud Partner Advantage program in Africa to help local partners grow their cloud businesses. The program provides partners with technical guidance, sales support, marketing resources, and training opportunities. Google said it has already onboarded more than 100 partners in Africa, including system integrators, resellers, managed service providers, and independent software vendors.
The launch of the Cape Town cloud region is part of Google’s ongoing investment in Africa’s digital transformation. In addition to providing cloud services, Google is also supporting initiatives such as Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, Google.org grants for digital skills training, and Loon’s internet balloons project. Google said it is committed to helping African businesses and communities thrive in the digital era.
Twenty-one business to business (B2B) tech startups will participate in the second cohort of the Microsoft GrowthX Accelerator program. They will work to co-create technology solutions with partners such as DHL, Etisalat, EY, Koç Holding, Lulu Hypermarket, and PwC. The startups will spend 12-weeks of virtual and physical workshops and training in the United Arab Emirates, thanks to its partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
The accelerator program is designed to bridge the gap between corporates and B2B startups across the Middle East and Africa. By connecting them with large corporations with specific problem statements they are looking to solve. The 12-week program runs from March to June 2022. It will empower the B2B tech startups with technology, mentoring and market access.
“We’ve built on the success of the first GrowthX Accelerator says Roberto Croci, Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups. To develop a second edition that is even more hands-on and offers even more value for participating startups, he adds.
“The 21 startups participating in this event will gain incredible knowledge from mentors in the program. That will not only help them scale their businesses but drive real impact across the region. Together with ADIO, we look forward to empowering this second cohort of startups to develop their innovative ideas into next-generation solutions that can further drive our position as a global hub for technology and entrepreneurship.”
Roberto Croci
Here are the startups from across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region participating in the Microsoft for Startups program.
Meet GrowthX Accelerator program cohort 2 startups
AiFlux – provider of digital solutions to the renewables and oil & gas industries.
DevisionX – supports organizations in the manufacturing industry in building no-code AI-powered digital solutions.
Event Gates (EGT Kontrol AS) – develops AI solutions for security and manufacturing verticals.
Farmdar – empowers farmers with actionable data to lower costs, increase yield, enhance quality and reduce waste.
Farmin – AI-powered platform that delivers critical insights for smart cities.
Greener Crop – supports farmers in leveraging technology to operate profitable farms and harvest sustainable, nutrient-rich and locally grown fruits and vegetables.
AI – a software company with a focus on digitizing physical spaces.
Lune Technologies – developer and manufacturer of fiber optics and terahertz-based technology products for the aerospace, automotive, defence, energy and infrastructure industries.
monak e-services – on-demand delivery service
NutzenTech – provides data and technology-focused B2B and B2G solutions that reduce environmental footprint.
Nybl – a machine learning platform that turns underutilized data into actionable intelligence.
Occicor – helps CPG companies achieve better shelf management by transforming images into actionable data.
Olymon Solutions – provides smart automation solutions to unify the processes of grocers and food traders.
Pivony – a self-service web platform used to discover conversation topics and obtain insights from real user-generated data
PowerDev – unifies the energy market big data from multiple resources and provides a robust SaaS data analysis tool.
Sav – a platform that enables you to manage your finances better and is the most convenient way to achieve your financial goals.
Searover – provides AI and robotic solutions with a focus on predictive and preventive maintenance solutions in solar, wind and hydropower generation.
Swftbox – A plug & play platform that offers retailers faster deliveries (same day, next day) through its courier network and complete fulfilment services.
Trade Capital Partners (TCP) – trade finance FinTech that offers working capital solutions for SMEs and startups in Emerging Markets.
Valorafutbol – a Software as a Service product designed to increase reach, engagement and monetization opportunities for media, sports and entertainment stakeholders.
Workfam – a gamified employee engagement platform
The Microsoft for Startups MEA GrowthX Accelerator program has grown from the 15 startups that participated in the first cohort.
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Microsoft wants to accelerate the growth of startups in Africa and fast-track investment in Africa’s startup ecosystem. By providing support to 10,000 startups over the next five years to enable them grow. A new partnership with accelerators, tech hubs and incubators across Africa including Grindstone, Greenhouse, FlapMax and Seedstars will seek to provide startups with access to markets, technical skills, and funding opportunities.
Through the intiative, startups will get access to technology, skilling programs and an opportunity to co-sell with Microsoft. They will also get support from Microsoft engineering and product teams for co-innovation opportunities.
Microsoft believes the vibrant African startup market is well placed to become a cornerstone of the continent’s digital economy. However it represents less than one percent of total investments worldwide. Wael Elkabbany, Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office, points out, this needs to change.
“Investments into Africa’s startup ecosystem are growing at an exciting pace. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), there are more than 640 active tech hubs across Africa, accelerating innovation and creating employment, particularly among the youth.”
Wael Elkabbany
Microsoft will also partner with key B2B-focused start-ups, scaleups, “soonicorns” and unicorns across a range of leading African industries. As well as startups concentrating on developing solutions for SMEs. Microsoft will tailor each partnership based on the needs of a startup says Gerald Maithya, Startups Lead, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office.
“We understand that each start-up is unique and exists beyond the limitations of a one-size-fits-all partnership model. Therefore Microsoft will tailor each partnership to the needs of individual start-ups, providing support and access. – Whether to technology, markets and co-sell opportunities, funding or digital skills. – To enable them to grow and contribute to the wider economic growth of Africa,”
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Microsoft is bringing the Startups Founders Hub to startups in Africa through new initiatives by the Africa Transformation Office. The Founders Hub tries to remove traditional barriers that startups face when building a company. African startups will be able to get free access to technology, coaching, and support to hit their next milestone.
The self-service hub, Microsoft Notes, will provide startups with a wide range of resources. This includes access to mentors, skilling content, tools like Microsoft Azure and GitHub, and go-to-market and business support.
The Founders Hub also includes opportunities for startups to sell to Microsoft’s corporate and enterprise customers. Helping with some of the early challenges startups face when it comes to finding customers. Microsoft will also support startups in geo-expansion activities, where startups can scale up by selling in new countries or regions.
“The Founders Hub allows Microsoft to engage with accelerators, incubators and tech hubs across the continent“, says Gerald Maithya, Startups Lead, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office.
Our partnerships with key African accelerators provide crucial support to accelerate growth-stage startups with their business development and market expansion plans.
Gerald Maithya
This is part of new Microsoft initiatives under its Africa Transformation Office to accelerate the growth of 10,000 African startups and fast-track investment in Africa’s start-up ecosystem over the next five years. Including the announcement of $500 million investment funding to enable startups to rapidly scale. And new partnerships with accelerators and incubators to provide startups with access to markets, technical skills and funding.
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Microsoft is announcing plans to support African startups with $500 million in potential funding in partnership with venture capital investors to enable them to rapidly scale using investment funding. This is part of new initiatives under its Africa Transformation Office to accelerate the growth of 10,000 African startups over the next five years. Including the launch of Microsoft Startups Founders Hub in Africa and new partnerships with accelerators and incubators to provide startups with access to markets, technical skills and funding.
Microsoft will establish industry alliances and partnerships with venture capital investors to facilitate access to the $500 million funding. Targeting those with global reach and regional bases with an interest in one or more regions within Africa. The funding will come from a network of venture capital investors, who will dedicate a portion of their financial support to startups in the Microsoft network.
“Our ambition is to see an explosion of local invention”
Wael Elkabbany
The company has established partnerships with key venture capital investors, including Banque Misr, Global Venture Capital and Get Funded Africa. With plans to grow this network of venture capital investors in the next five years. This will allow it to increase funding to startups and enable them to scale up and drive economic growth.
“Our goal in establishing these partnerships with venture capital investors is to extend the network of potential partnerships between Microsoft, venture capital investors and startups, thereby increasing the funding made available to eligible startups,” says Gerald Maithya, Startups Lead, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office.
Microsoft believes the African startup market is well placed to become a cornerstone of the continent’s digital economy, supporting local innovation through relevant solutions to societal challenges.
“Our ambition is to see an explosion of local invention,” says Wael Elkabbany, Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office. “That will contribute positively, not just to Africa’s digital economy, but to global society he concludes“.
“There is huge potential for Africa to become a thriving hub of digital innovation on the global start-up landscape.”
Wael Elkabbany
Microsoft hopes to enable digital transformation powered by Africans for Africans with the establishment of the Africa Transformation Office. It will partner with public and private organizations to empower Africans and foster economic prosperity.
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