The tech giant Google has announced plans to establish four new subsea cable hubs across various African corridors to enhance Internet connectivity. This was revealed by Alex Okosi, the Managing Director for Google in Africa, in a statement sent to Techpoint Africa on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
Google, which already operates the Equiano transatlantic cable serving four African countries, stated that these new projects would benefit no fewer than 18 nations across the continent.
“This is the latest expansion of Google’s Africa Connect infrastructure program, which aims to establish critical connectivity throughout the continent,” the statement read.
The infrastructure includes the Google Cloud region in Johannesburg, which serves users across the continent, the Equiano cable running along the entire western seaboard of Africa, and Umoja, the first fibre-optic route connecting Africa directly to Australia.
Okosi noted that the new subsea cable infrastructure would extend from Egypt down to South Africa, with key cities in countries such as Namibia, Nigeria, and Kenya also included in the plan.
In addition to the subsea cable hubs, Google is also making a $9 million investment to support artificial intelligence (AI) research and training in African universities and research institutions.
Okosi emphasized that the goal of this initiative is to equip young Africans with AI skills and research capabilities, aiming to reach approximately 3 million students.
The statement further revealed that Google has already invested over $17 million in the past four years, providing African universities and research institutions with funding, curriculum, training, and access to advanced AI models. With the new $9 million investment planned for the coming year, Google is bolstering local capacity in AI.
Africa’s tech market is quickly becoming a growing hub for AI infrastructure and research. A recent report indicates that 78% of Africa’s youth use AI tools weekly, and many are increasingly adopting AI-driven skills like machine learning and cloud engineering.
Countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya are leading the charge, drawing in millions of dollars in investment each year.
These new investments are part of Google’s continued efforts in Africa, where the company has previously provided Internet access to over 100 million people, trained over 7 million individuals in digital skills, and supported startups in 17 countries.
Google’s Africa Connect infrastructure program is part of its broader, long-term commitment to expanding digital access and fostering economic opportunity across the continent. Previously, the company has launched major initiatives such as the Equiano cable and the Umoja route. Additionally, Google has supported digital skills training for millions of Africans and provided funding and incubation for startups.
