Microsoft has announced an additional investment of ZAR 5.4 billion in South Africa with the aim of advancing Cloud and Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure in the country.
This latest funding builds on previous investments of ZAR 20.4 billion over the past three years.
Microsoft is also planning to equip South Africans with the skills needed to thrive in the technology space. As part of its commitment, the company will fund certification exams for 50,000 young professionals over the next year. The certification program will cover high-demand fields like AI, data science, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
This initiative is an extension of Microsoft’s goal of training one million South Africans in AI and Cybersecurity by 2026. In 2024, more than 150,000 people received digital and AI training, with 95,000 earning certifications and 1,800 securing jobs through Microsoft’s Skills for Jobs programme.
Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith, stated the importance of empowering South Africa not just as a consumer of AI technology but also as a producer. He expressed that this investment is about more than just expanding infrastructure; it’s also about enabling South Africa to take a leading role in AI innovation.
President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the investment, calling it a strong vote of confidence in the South African economy.
Microsoft’s AI expansion in South Africa will be guided by its AI Access Principles, ensuring the responsible development and use of AI technologies. Sustainability is also a key focus, with Microsoft continuing its efforts to be carbon-negative, water-positive, and zero-waste by 2030.
With this investment, South Africa is positioning itself as a competitive player in the global technology sector.
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