UK-based Cassava Technologies has signed a strategic partnership with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) to deliver GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) across Africa in a move expected to accelerate the continent’s AI innovation and digital transformation.
GPUaaS is a cloud-based offering that provides on-demand access to powerful Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), allowing users to leverage the computational power of GPUs for tasks like AI or machine learning, deep learning and scientific computing without needing to invest in and manage their own physical hardware.
The agreement, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding, will grant over 3,000 AI practitioners affiliated with SAAIA – including entrepreneurs, researchers and business leaders – access to Cassava’s high-performance data centre GPUs.
The infrastructure will support the development and deployment of locally relevant AI solutions while also fostering collaboration on initiatives to strengthen Africa’s broader AI ecosystem.
“By extending our advanced AI infrastructure and capabilities to SAAIA’s growing community of AI professionals, we’re enabling greater access to the compute power required to build, test and scale innovative local solutions,” said Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies South Africa and Botswana on Monday.
“We believe this partnership will deliver meaningful value to both organisations and, more importantly, to the business and research communities driving AI development on the continent.”
SAAIA, which hosts the continent’s largest AI event – AI Expo Africa – welcomed the collaboration as a boost to South Africa’s emerging AI startup ecosystem.
“Supporting local AI entrepreneurs is a key pillar of SAAIA and access to GPU-as-a-Service is a key enabler to growing the emerging AI startup ecosystem,” SAAIA founder and chairman Nick Bradshaw said.
The partnership follows Cassava’s recent announcement of plans to establish Africa’s first AI factory, further underscoring its commitment to responsible AI growth on the continent.
JN/APA