Cassava Technologies and SAAIA Join Forces to Drive AI Innovation Across Africa
Cassava Technologies, a global digital infrastructure provider of African heritage, has partnered with the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) to advance AI development and adoption in Africa. The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will provide GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) and support local AI ecosystems across the continent.
The partnership is a significant milestone in enabling scalable and responsible AI innovation in Africa.
SAAIA Members to Access Cassava’s GPU Infrastructure
Under the agreement, SAAIA’s network of over 3,000 AI practitioners, including entrepreneurs, researchers, and business professionals, will gain access to Cassava Technologies’ high-performance GPU infrastructure. This computing power will support:
- AI model development
- Testing and deployment of local solutions
- Growth of Africa’s AI startup ecosystem
Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies South Africa and Botswana, said:
“We are proud to partner with SAAIA to support the growth of Africa’s AI ecosystem. By extending our advanced AI infrastructure and capabilities, we’re enabling greater access to the compute power required to build, test, and scale innovative local solutions.”
Promoting Responsible and Scalable AI in Africa
This collaboration reinforces Cassava Technologies’ commitment to responsible AI adoption and aligns with its broader vision of empowering Africans through digital solutions and smart infrastructure. In partnership with SAAIA, the company will:
- Support local AI entrepreneurs and startups
- Enable AI practitioners to scale impactful projects
- Drive public-private collaboration in Africa’s smart technology sector
Dr. Nick Bradshaw, Founder and Chairman of SAAIA, emphasised the importance of infrastructure support:
“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’s Role in South Africa’s AI Ecosystem
The South African AI Association (SAAIA) is the country’s largest AI industry body, promoting the development and ethical use of artificial intelligence. It unites stakeholders from:
- Government and academia
- Commercial enterprises
- Startups and NGOs
SAAIA also organises AI Expo Africa, the continent’s largest AI event, and drives investment and trade in Africa’s fast-growing smart technology and digital economy.
Cassava Technologies’ Commitment to African AI Growth
The partnership comes on the heels of Cassava’s announcement to build Africa’s first AI factory, designed to provide businesses, governments, and researchers with access to advanced AI computing resources. This move supports the company’s long-term strategy to:
- Deliver world-class digital infrastructure
- Empower African economies with future-ready technologies
- Enable responsible and inclusive AI innovation
Key Takeaways
- Cassava Technologies and SAAIA sign MoU to deliver AI solutions and GPU-as-a-Service in Africa
- Over 3,000 AI professionals in South Africa to benefit from GPU access
- Partnership supports local AI startups, researchers, and innovation initiatives
- Reinforces commitment to responsible AI, digital transformation, and economic empowerment across Africa
