Vodacom and Google Cloud partner on AI infrastructure for African markets

Multi-year agreement includes data platform migration and deployment of generative AI models across telecommunications operations in Africa.

Vodacom Group CEO, Shameel Joosub. 

Vodacom has entered a multi-year collaboration with Google Cloud to implement artificial intelligence technologies across its African operations. 

The partnership involves migrating Vodacom's data infrastructure to Google Cloud platforms and deploying generative AI models including Gemini, Veo, and Imagen throughout the telecommunications company's African markets.

According to Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub, the integration will enable the company to develop AI-powered networks, digital services, and financial technology products. "This collaboration allows us to build and deploy solutions that address the challenges and opportunities of the continent, making AI accessible to millions of customers and businesses across Africa," Joosub stated.

Maureen Costello, Google Cloud Vice President for UKI and Sub-Saharan Africa, commented that the partnership provides Vodacom with access to generative AI models and data infrastructure to support technology solutions for African markets.

Under the agreement, Vodacom will transfer its data platforms, including the BigQuery analytics engine, to a cloud environment. This migration aims to enable real-time data insights, establish unified data governance, and create a centralized data repository across all operating markets.

The partnership will facilitate development of AI applications for network optimization, customer service automation, fraud detection systems, and mobile money services. Initial implementations will focus on financial technology products for financial inclusion, cloud solutions for enterprises, and digital platforms for content and education services.

Vodacom operates across multiple African countries, serving 223 million customers and processing $460 billion in mobile money transactions annually. The company's infrastructure will provide the foundation for deploying Google Cloud's AI technologies throughout these markets.

The collaboration enables Vodacom to implement machine learning models for network management, develop automated customer support systems, and create data-driven financial services. These technologies will be integrated into existing telecommunications infrastructure and mobile platforms.

The partnership represents part of broader technology investments in African telecommunications infrastructure, with AI deployment planned across consumer and enterprise segments. Implementation timelines and specific market rollouts will be determined as the collaboration progresses.