Google Joins $90M Investment In Cassava To Grow Africa’s Digital Infrastructure

Google has joined a $90 million equity investment round in Cassava Technologies, signaling a significant step in supporting Africa’s digital infrastructure. 

The funding round also includes contributions from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and Finnish development firm Finnfund, among others. 

Bolstering Africa’s Connectivity

This investment aligns with Google’s broader efforts in Africa, including the Equiano subsea cable and the new Umoja fiber-optic cable connecting Africa and Australia. 

Cassava has already established itself as a leader in Africa’s tech ecosystem, offering solutions in data centers, cloud services, and renewable energy. 

In a press release, CEO Hardy Pemhiwa described the funding as a “pivotal milestone” that will catalyze Cassava’s growth and further expansion of digital services.

The investment will also help address critical connectivity issues. 

In 2024, widespread outages disrupted African networks, largely due to failing undersea cables. 

By investing in infrastructure, Google and its partners aim to provide stable and improved services for African businesses and consumers.

Expanding Tech Partnerships

Cassava has raised a total of $310 million, of which $220 million comes as credit for its subsidiaries. 

This move is part of a larger trend of tech giants prioritizing infrastructure in emerging markets. 

Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, highlighted the potential of such partnerships, noting their role in enabling African businesses to leverage generative AI and advanced cloud solutions.

Google’s stake in Cassava also ties into its $1 billion commitment to Africa’s digital economy, further reinforced by its collaboration with Cassava’s Liquid C2 division. 

This unit works alongside Google and Anthropic to offer cutting-edge technologies, from cybersecurity to AI-powered tools.

Feature Image Credit: Cassava Technologies