Snowflake launches AWS Deployment in South Africa to drive data and AI closer to customers

Snowflake launches its AI Data Cloud on AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region to help South African organizations meet local data residency requirements. The deployment addresses compliance with POPIA regulations and South Africa's National Policy on Data and Cloud while maintaining platform performance. 

Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company, has announced general availability of its AI Data Cloud on Amazon Web Services (AWS) Africa (Cape Town) Region. The deployment enables customers to access data insights powered by AI while meeting data residency and sovereignty requirements.

The launch addresses local data residency regulations, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which governs personal information processing and establishes requirements for cross-border data transfers. South Africa's National Policy on Data and Cloud requires government and public-sector data storage within the country's borders. Snowflake's deployment on AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region represents the continuation of the company's partnership with AWS and brings data processing closer to regional customers.

This expansion supports organizations in meeting local data regulations while maintaining performance capabilities. The deployment provides South African customers with geographical flexibility for their cloud infrastructure needs and helps organizations maintain control over their data storage locations.

"Snowflake's expansion in South Africa supports local organizations with data solutions that enable customers to meet local data regulations without compromising performance or innovation," said Luan Reineck, Country Manager, South Africa. The partnership with AWS allows organizations to leverage Snowflake's AI Data Cloud while retaining control over data hosting and storage locations.

Regional customers including Carry1st, BluNova, and Mukuru currently use Snowflake's AI Data Cloud for business decision-making and AI implementation within their security frameworks. These deployments demonstrate practical applications of the platform in the South African market.

Carry1st, which operates across 20 countries, has experienced operational improvements through the platform implementation. "Through Snowflake's platform we have been able to reduce infrastructure costs by up to 45%, improve data refresh rates by over 300%, and enable faster insights," said Ziyaad Kumandan, Lead Data Engineer at Carry1st. The company requires technology solutions that support data-driven decision-making across its international operations.

The AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region deployment provides customers with additional geographical options for their cloud infrastructure. Organizations can select regions that align with their operational requirements and regulatory compliance needs.

Snowflake continues its South African market investment through collaboration with system integration partners to support the One Million Minds initiative. This program focuses on training and AI skills development for learners globally. The partnership network includes local system integrators and AWS to position participants in Africa's digital transformation landscape.

The company plans to host a launch event on September 3 at The Old Biscuit Mill, Cape Town, to mark the regional deployment. The event will focus on the AI Data Cloud's scalability, security, and performance capabilities for regional businesses.