Zimbabwe’s richest man Strive Masiyiwa, plans AI factories across Africa including South Africa
Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, one of Africa’s leading tech entrepreneurs, is set to expand his digital empire with plans to build AI “factories”
Image: File
Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, one of Africa’s leading tech entrepreneurs, is set to expand his digital empire with plans to build AI “factories” across the continent, including in South Africa.
According to reports, Masiyiwa intends to establish these advanced AI data centres in several countries, including South Africa, Rwanda, Ghana, Eswatini, and Uganda.
The new AI factories are said to be aiming to help African countries reduce reliance on foreign technology, support local innovation, and keep important data safe within the continent.
Masiyiwa said that the AI factories will serve as critical hubs to accelerate innovation across Africa.
“Our AI factory provides the infrastructure for innovation to scale, empowering African businesses, start-ups, and researchers with access to cutting-edge AI infrastructure. Now they don’t have to look beyond Africa to get it,” he said according to Business Insider Africa.
IOL previously reported that as many sectors across the country continue to shed jobs at an alarming rate, in South Africa Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as one of the few bright spots in the job market.
According to the latest Pnet Job Market Trends Report, demand for AI-related skills has surged by 352% since 2019, with a 77% increase in just the first half of 2025.
The rapid growth is said to be driven not only by tech roles but also by more traditional jobs that now require AI know-how, such as marketing, admin, and customer service.
"Vacancy data shows that demand for AI skills has risen sharply in recent years. Since 2019, advertised jobs requiring AI expertise have increased by +352%. Over the past three years alone, demand has grown by +79%. This shows a strong upward trend, though not as steep as the six-year trajectory," the report noted.
IOL Business
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za