Johannesburg – Gauten welcomed and praised the R5.4 billion Microsoft investment in South Africa's AI infrastructure.
The investment is added to a R200 billion investment made in 2023 to establish the country's first corporate-grade data centre in Johannesburg and Cape Town in 2023.
Speaking on Friday (7 March 2025), Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi highlighted the importance of skill development to align education with economic aspirations and address the skills gaps in sectors such as construction, engineering and entrepreneurship.
“This investment will help develop a skilled workforce and will also help unlock new opportunities for innovation and economic growth.
The new program will expand Microsoft's AI Skills Initiative in South Africa by paying high-demand digital skills for certification exams of 50,000 youth over the next 12 months.
Also present, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the investment was a vote of confidence in “our country and our economy.”
Related: “Microsoft is an American company with an African mind,” says President Ramaphosa –
President Ramaphosa said:
“They show the business investor community that South Africa's economy continues to hold immeasurable potential and that investment is a favourable place to run a safe business.”
