• New Johannesburg center aims to train partners and expand AI capabilities
• Focus on moving local firms from resellers to solution developers
• Initiative targets Africa’s growing cloud market and talent shortage

Google Cloud and Liquid C2 have opened a new center in Johannesburg aimed at expanding access to artificial intelligence and cloud technologies across South Africa.

The facility, launched April 8, is the first Google Cloud–backed partner experience center on the continent. It is designed to help local companies build and deploy digital solutions tailored to African markets.

The center targets local partners, encouraging them to move beyond basic reselling of digital services. It offers structured training paths leading to Google Cloud certifications, along with access to technical environments where companies can design, test, and deploy solutions.

Businesses will be able to experiment with advanced tools such as Gemini Enterprise and the Gemini Playspace, which support the development of AI applications. The goal is to help companies move from testing to real-world deployment, with direct support from specialized engineers.

Beyond training, the center is set up as a co-innovation space. Startups, developers, companies, and public sector actors can collaborate to build sector-specific solutions, particularly in finance, healthcare, and commerce. Once developed, these solutions can be distributed through Liquid C2’s network, creating new revenue opportunities for partners.

The launch comes as Africa’s cloud market expands rapidly, driven by rising demand for digital services and technical skills. According to Statista, the continent’s cloud market could exceed $15 billion by 2025 and reach $29 billion by 2030.

However, growth is constrained by a shortage of qualified talent. The International Finance Corporation estimates that Africa could need more than 230 million digital jobs by 2030, far exceeding the current supply of skilled professionals.

With this new center, Liquid C2 aims to help build a local ecosystem capable of addressing both challenges: closing the skills gap and delivering cloud and AI solutions adapted to African markets. The move also strengthens its position in a market where major cloud providers are increasing investments, particularly in South Africa, the continent’s leading tech hub.

Samira Njoya