Zimbabwe’s richest man Strive Masiyiwa’s AI factory to cost $720 million

Key Points

• Strive Masiyiwa’s AI factory, estimated to cost $720 million aims to lead Africa’s digital transformation, with expansion across multiple countries.
• The facility will offer AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS) to local startups, businesses, and governments.
• Cassava Technologies, backed by global investors, will close Africa’s AI infrastructure gap with 12,000 GPUs by 2026.

Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa’s ambitious plan to spearhead Africa’s digital evolution through his company, Cassava Technologies, is projected to cost $720 million. The state-of-the-art facility, which will be powered by NVIDIA’s cutting-edge AI technology, marks a pivotal move in the continent’s technological advancement.

The AI factory, which is set to launch in South Africa by June 2025, will provide businesses, governments, and researchers with world-class AI computing capabilities, enabling innovation across sectors from healthcare to fintech. The project’s expansion plans include Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and Morocco in the subsequent years, signaling a broad regional impact.

Masiyiwa champions local AI infrastructure with NVIDIA’s expertise

Cassava Technologies will deploy NVIDIA’s advanced AI and computing technology to create scalable solutions for the African market. Using NVIDIA’s Cloud Partner (NCP) reference architecture, the factory will pave the way for AI-driven businesses across the continent.

The initiative will launch in South Africa with 3,000 GPUs—each valued between $45,000 and $60,000—before scaling up to 12,000 units over the coming years to meet surging demand for AI-as-a-Service (AIaaS). This expansion is expected to empower African startups, enterprises, and governments to accelerate digital innovation across key sectors.

Strive Masiyiwa stresses the importance of building local AI infrastructure to reduce dependence on foreign data centers. By keeping data within Africa, Cassava aims to foster sustainable AI growth while positioning the continent to compete in the global digital economy.

“Building digital infrastructure for Africa’s AI economy is vital for the continent to fully engage in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Masiyiwa said. “This AI factory will be a catalyst for innovation, enabling African businesses and researchers to develop world-class AI solutions locally.”

Cassava Technologies’ expanding AI ecosystem

Founded by Masiyiwa, with a net worth estimated at $1.2 billion, Cassava Technologies is already a leader in Africa’s digital ecosystem. The company owns and operates several key businesses, including Liquid Intelligent Technologies and Africa Data Centres, which work to expand internet and AI infrastructure across the continent.

With the backing of global investors, including a $90 million equity investment from DFC, Google LLC, and Finnfund, Cassava is well-positioned to close the AI infrastructure gap in Africa. The AI factory marks the next step in Masiyiwa’s vision to bring AI-driven innovation to Africa, while ensuring the continent’s businesses and researchers have the tools to thrive in the global digital economy.