Vice Chairman Brad Smith announced on Thursday that Microsoft Corporation will increase its investment on cloud and AI capabilities in South Africa by an extra $297 million by the end of 2027.
According to Bloomberg, Smith made the statement during a Johannesburg event in advance of a forthcoming investment conference in South Africa.
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Investment to cover digital skills for 50,000 young South Africans
“The investment will also cover digital skills certification exams for 50,000 young people over the next 12 months to help foster innovation, economic growth, and workforce development,” Smith said.
The announcement was made less than three weeks after Microsoft pledged $1 million to help one million Nigerians build their AI skills over the next two years.
The goal was to support digital innovation and economic empowerment throughout Africa.
Microsoft’s plan to invest $80 billion in global AI development
Likewise, Microsoft revealed in January that it intends to spend $80 billion in fiscal 2025, mostly on data centres with AI capabilities and worldwide deployment of AI.
“In FY 2025, Microsoft is on track to invest approximately $80bn to build AI-enabled data centers, train AI models, and deploy AI and cloud-based applications worldwide,” Smith wrote in a blog post.
According to Smith, the proposed investment demonstrates Microsoft’s faith in the U.S. economy and dedication to enhancing the country’s technological prowess.
“More than half of this total investment will be in the United States, reflecting our confidence in the American economy,” he added.
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Microsoft’s $1 million AI skills investment in Nigeria
In an effort to promote digital innovation and economic empowerment, Microsoft recently revealed plans to invest $1 million over the next two years to help one million Nigerians enhance their artificial intelligence skills. This was revealed during the Microsoft AI Tour’s Lagos kickoff by Ola Williams, Microsoft’s Nigerian Country Manager.
“This is a strategic investment to ensure that Nigerians have access to the critical skills needed not just to use AI but to develop cutting-edge solutions and build AI-driven businesses that provide sustainable livelihoods,” Williams said.
Lillian Barnard, President of Microsoft Africa, was excited about the effort and emphasised the importance of AI’s growth in Nigeria.
“I am personally excited about bringing AI to Nigeria. We’ve seen AI adoption growing globally, but it’s critical to focus on Africa, which is my area of responsibility. Our key markets—Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Kenya—are central to this effort,” Barnard said.
The AI skilling program is intended for government officials, developers, leaders, and young people.