Google launches first Cloud Region in Africa

New cloud region to deliver low-latency services, support data sovereignty, and contribute billions to South Africa’s GDP by 2030.  

Google launches first Cloud Region in Africa. Photo: Google. Portal ERP South Africa.

Google has officially launched its first cloud region in Africa, strategically located in Johannesburg, South Africa. This milestone marks a significant expansion of Google Cloud Platform (GCP) services across the continent, positioning the tech giant to compete more effectively with other major cloud providers already operating in the region.  

The Johannesburg cloud region, now operational, offers enterprise and public sector customers access to a suite of cloud-based services, including computing, storage, databases, and machine learning, all with reduced latency. According to Niral Patel, Director of Google Cloud Africa, the new facility is designed to empower African organizations to innovate, scale, and compete on a global stage.  

Google’s research estimates that the Johannesburg cloud region could contribute more than $2.1 billion to South Africa’s GDP and create over 40,000 jobs by 2030. “This region is a game-changer for Africa’s digital transformation,” Patel said. “It’s not just about technology; it’s about enabling businesses and governments to unlock new opportunities and drive economic growth.”  

The Johannesburg facility is integrated into Google’s global network infrastructure, which includes a vast system of high-capacity fiber optic cables spanning land and sea. Notably, it connects to the recently completed Equiano subsea cable, linking Portugal to several African nations, including South Africa, Nigeria, and Namibia. Additionally, Google is developing dedicated cloud interconnect sites in key African cities such as Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos, and Nairobi.  

With this launch, Google joins other cloud providers like Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Oracle, which have already established data centers in South Africa. Microsoft operates cloud regions in Johannesburg and Cape Town, while AWS has infrastructure in Cape Town. Oracle launched its Johannesburg cloud region in 2022.  

The Johannesburg cloud region brings Google’s global footprint to 40 regions and 106 zones worldwide. A key advantage of the new region is its ability to help organizations comply with data sovereignty requirements by keeping data within South Africa’s borders.  

Industry analysts see Google’s expansion as a strategic move to strengthen its position in the competitive cloud market, particularly against rivals like AWS and Microsoft Azure. The presence of cloud data centers in South Africa is also expected to accelerate the growth of Africa’s startup ecosystem and support enterprise innovation across the continent.  

Google plans to host a formal launch event in Johannesburg later this year to demonstrate the region’s capabilities and highlight how its cloud platform can drive transformation across industries such as financial services, telecommunications, retail, and the public sector.  

This development underscores Google’s commitment to Africa’s digital future, providing the tools and infrastructure needed to fuel innovation and economic progress across the region.