Microsoft to invest $300M in AI infrastructure in South Africa, expanding its global AI push

Less than a month after investing $700 million in a cloud data center project in Poland, Microsoft is doubling down on its AI expansion. The company announced plans to invest an additional 5.4 billion rand ($296.81 million) to strengthen artificial intelligence infrastructure in South Africa.

Speaking at an event in Johannesburg on Thursday, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith shared the company’s commitment to growing digital capabilities in the region. As part of the initiative, Microsoft will cover the cost of technical certification exams for 50,000 individuals, equipping them with high-demand digital skills.

“Microsoft will invest an additional 5.4 billion rand ($296.81 million) in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in South Africa, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said on Thursday, Reuters reported.

This move aligns with Microsoft’s broader AI investment strategy. In January, the company outlined plans to spend around $80 billion in the fiscal year 2025 on data center development to support AI model training and cloud-based applications.

With this latest investment, Microsoft continues its aggressive push to expand AI and cloud infrastructure globally, reinforcing its position in an increasingly competitive market.

This latest push fits into Microsoft’s broader playbook of strengthening AI and digital infrastructure across Europe. In February, the tech giant announced a €3.2 billion investment in Germany over the next two years, its biggest commitment to the country in four decades, with AI at the center.

Over the past year, Microsoft has funneled at least $6 billion into projects across four countries. In addition to Poland and Germany, the company has been ramping up AI training efforts—pledging to upskill two million people in India’s smaller cities and one million in the UK.

With AI and cloud infrastructure shaping the future of global economies, Microsoft isn’t just investing in technology—it’s betting on the next wave of digital transformation.