AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley anymore. The next frontier of artificial intelligence might just be unfolding in Southern Africa—with Zimbabwe making moves to modernize its tech landscape while NVIDIA throws down billions to supercharge the global AI race.
Let’s break it down.
Zimbabwe’s Quiet Tech Revolution
While most headlines about AI center around billion-dollar startups in San Francisco or robot uprisings in China, Zimbabwe has been quietly crafting a strategy of its own. The country recently finalized its National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, signaling a bold move to digitize its economy through AI.
It’s not just buzzwords either. From deploying AI-powered traffic systems in Harare to rolling out CCTV surveillance backed by machine learning in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe is testing the waters of automation, one city at a time. The goal? Faster, smarter cities with less reliance on outdated infrastructure and overworked public systems.
But here’s the twist—it’s not just about smart cities. Zimbabwe wants in on the global AI economy, and that means training talent, building infrastructure, and staying ahead of the curve.
Enter: Strive Masiyiwa and NVIDIA
Behind some of the continent’s biggest tech pushes is Strive Masiyiwa, a Zimbabwean-born billionaire with a vision. Through his company, Cassava Technologies, he’s partnered with none other than NVIDIA to build Africa’s first AI factory—in South Africa.
The facility, powered by NVIDIA’s high-performance computing tech, is set to democratize access to advanced AI infrastructure for governments, researchers, and startups across Africa. Translation: this isn’t just about Zimbabwe; it’s about leveling the playing field for an entire continent.
And if you know anything about NVIDIA, you know they don’t mess around.
NVIDIA’s $1 Billion AI Power Play
In 2024 alone, NVIDIA invested over $1 billion into the AI space—more than it spent in the previous four years combined. It backed over 50 startups, snatched up companies like Run:ai, OctoAI, and Deci, and dropped portable AI supercomputers that literally fit in your bag.
This isn’t a company dipping its toes in the future. NVIDIA is diving in headfirst, stacking chips, software, and entire data ecosystems to dominate AI for decades to come.
And Africa, thanks to collaborations like the one with Cassava, is becoming part of that plan.
A Future Still Loading
The numbers coming out of NVIDIA are massive. The ambition coming from Zimbabwe? Arguably even bigger—because it’s not just about building machines; it’s about building independence. AI isn’t just a tool. For Zimbabwe, it could be a lever to pull itself out of economic stagnation and leapfrog into the future.
So far, there’s no official word on exactly how much Zimbabwe plans to invest or how long the AI rollout will take. But with infrastructure being laid and partnerships forming with some of the world’s biggest tech players, one thing’s clear: the AI revolution isn’t skipping Africa.
It’s just getting started.
