Cassava Technologies and Zindi Partner to Supercharge Africa’s AI and GPU Ecosystem

Cassava Technologies, a global digital infrastructure leader with deep African roots, has taken a bold leap forward in driving Africa’s digital evolution. The company has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Zindi, the continent’s largest network of data science professionals, to deliver transformative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and GPU-as-a-Service (GPUaaS) across Africa.

This landmark agreement between two influential technology players underscores a mutual commitment to fostering homegrown innovation, equipping AI developers with critical resources, and shaping a sustainable digital future for the African continent.

A Strategic Alliance for Africa’s AI Future

Under the newly signed MoU, Cassava Technologies and Zindi will embark on a multi-pronged collaboration aimed at enhancing Africa’s capacity in AI and machine learning. At the heart of this partnership is Cassava’s advanced GPU infrastructure — part of its GPUaaS offering — which will be made available to Zindi’s vast community of data scientists, innovators, and developers. This service is crucial for enabling AI model training, analytics, and the execution of complex computing tasks required in developing smart, localized solutions.

Zindi, known for hosting Africa’s premier AI and machine learning competitions, will in turn use its platform to drive AI solution development using Cassava’s GPU-powered backend. The partnership also includes co-creating AI challenges and identifying opportunities where both platforms can be synergistically leveraged to advance innovation across various sectors.

Empowering Local Solutions to Local Problems

The partnership arrives at a pivotal moment for Africa, a continent increasingly defined by its youthful population, rising tech entrepreneurship, and a growing digital economy. As global interest in AI intensifies, African nations have expressed a pressing need for inclusive, locally-relevant digital strategies — a demand that Cassava and Zindi are well-positioned to meet.

“For Africa’s AI ecosystem to grow and thrive, it is essential to provide platforms and resources for the continent’s developers and start-ups,” said Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO of Cassava Technologies. “Combining our data centres’ advanced GPU capabilities with Zindi’s innovative data science platform creates a powerful foundation for digital advancement. Cassava is proud to support local stakeholders as they develop digital solutions to some of Africa’s most pressing problems.”

Pemhiwa's remarks reflect Cassava’s broader vision for AI in Africa, one that emphasizes inclusivity, ethical adoption, and technological sovereignty.

Zindi’s Commitment to AI Talent Development

Zindi, which collaborates with private companies, NGOs, and government institutions to crowdsource AI solutions for real-world problems, views the MoU as a catalyst for deepening Africa’s AI expertise and boosting its innovation capacity.

“Zindi is thrilled at the opportunity to partner with Cassava Technologies to strengthen African datasets, address local problems with locally-developed solutions, and help more African AI builders access the resources they need to succeed,” said Celina Lee, CEO and Co-Founder of Zindi. “Collaborating on the launch of a challenge specifically aimed at nurturing Africa’s AI talent will not only expose entrepreneurs and innovative solutions; it will help build new skills and create employment opportunities.”

By offering financial incentives, exposure, and practical experience through AI challenges, Zindi provides a vital pipeline for developing high-caliber AI professionals and startups across the continent.

Building Africa’s AI Infrastructure

The partnership also aligns with Cassava Technologies’ broader AI ambitions. In 2024, the company announced the launch of its AI business unit and revealed plans to construct Africa’s first AI factory — a state-of-the-art facility designed to power the development, testing, and scaling of AI solutions tailored to African markets.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate a strategic commitment to building a robust, scalable digital ecosystem in Africa. The collaboration with Zindi now adds a crucial human capital component to that strategy, ensuring that the technological tools Cassava provides are complemented by a vibrant community of capable, innovative users.

A Platform for Sustainable Growth

Beyond AI model development, the Cassava-Zindi partnership promises to unlock opportunities in health tech, agriculture, finance, education, and more — sectors where AI can dramatically improve efficiency, equity, and impact.

By combining infrastructure, expertise, and outreach, the alliance sets the stage for a new wave of African-led innovation. As AI reshapes the global economy, Cassava Technologies and Zindi are ensuring that Africa is not left behind — but instead becomes a central hub of future-ready, ethical, and impactful AI development.