CONNECTIVITY

First Google Cloud region on the African continent is announced

By our News Team | 2022

Google says it intends to scale up Cloud capability for Africa through sites in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria.

Google has confirmed that it intends to establish a cloud region in South Africa, its first in the continent, in an effort to assist users to move their information and tools online.

The company made the announcement during its second Google for Africa event. It is in line with the commitment made by Google last year to deliver a US$1-billion investment in the continent.

Connectivity

Photo by Cottonbro from Pexels

Director of Google Cloud Africa, Niral Patel, said: “We are excited to announce the first Google Cloud region in Africa. The new region will allow for the localisation of applications and services.” 

Patel said the firm would expand its network through the Equiano subsea cable and build dedicated Cloud Interconnect sites in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos and Nairobi to scale up Cloud capability for Africa.

The cable, which has nine branching points, was initially announced in 2019 and is one of Google’s largest submarine Internet cables. It connects Western Europe to South Africa.

Data prices predicted to drop by as much as 21 percent

Equiano will lead to the creation of 1.6-million jobs, per a report commissioned by Google. The report also predicts that the cable will lead to data prices dropping between 16 and 21 percent in the region.

“We believe in growing an open and healthy ecosystem of technology solutions to support Africa’s digital transformation goals, which leads to more opportunities for businesses. It is part of our company-wide ethos to respect the environment, which is why we operate the cleanest Cloud in the industry, supporting sustainable digital transformation,” said Patel.

Added Philly Mapulane South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies: “Our National Development Plan 2030 calls for stimulating growth in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector and innovation by driving public and private ICT investment, especially in network upgrades and expansion. Google’s recent efforts in this regard have been particularly encouraging.”

According to the tech industry website Data Center Dynamics, Google is playing catch-up with other cloud providers, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure, with both players entering the continent in the last few years.

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    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.