LIQUID C2, a subsidiary of pan-African technology group Cassava Technologies, has clinched a collaboration with global technology leader Google Cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) company Anthropic to deliver advanced cloud cyber security solutions and generative AI (gen AI) capabilities to African businesses.
NATHAN GUMA
Cassava, headed by United Kingdom-based Zimbabwean billionaire Strive Masiyiwa, has been providing a vertically integrated ecosystem of digital services and infrastructure enabling digital transformation across Africa.
The company, headquartered in London, has a presence in 31 countries worldwide spanning across Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States of America.
In a latest statement by the company, Liquid C2 will deliver Google Workspace to customers across the continent, as a strategic partner of Google Cloud’s innovative solutions in Africa.
“Designed to facilitate team connections in a cloud-native environment, Google Workspace also features embedded generative AI tools to help employees create content and achieve greater productivity and collaboration in the workplace,” reads the statement.
By fortifying cyber security measures and infusing gen AI capabilities, Liquid C2 envisions a future where security, collaboration, and innovation go hand-in-hand, creating a safer, more productive digital experience for all.
As Africa continues to emerge as a hub for technological advancements, collaboration between leading companies like Liquid C2, Google Cloud, and Anthropic play a crucial role in driving progress, fostering innovation, and attracting global investment.”
Liquid C2 is also working directly with Anthropic, one of the largest and fastest-growing AI companies globally, to develop AI solutions for large enterprises that want to use it to improve productivity and revenue growth. Anthropic has a strategic partnership with Google Cloud, and Claude — Anthropic’s family of foundational AI models that excel at thoughtful dialogue, content creation, complex reasoning, creativity, and coding — is available in Google Cloud’s Vertex AI.
“Liquid C2’s partnership with Anthropic signifies a shared commitment to empowering businesses in Africa with state-of-the-art AI solutions. By integrating AI models and services across various industries, Liquid C2 and Anthropic aim to accelerate growth for clients, further positioning Africa as a global player in the digital landscape. The collaboration presents opportunities to apply gen AI to African businesses irrespective of the industry or organisation size,” the company said.
“Currently, more than 80% of the largest businesses and organisations operating in more than 31 African countries use a broad spectrum of advanced digital technologies from Liquid supplied by global vendors. Many are keenly interested in moving AI readiness. Liquid C2 will remain a multi-vendor provider, offering its customers best-in-class solutions.”
Liquid C2’s new collaboration builds on last year’s memorandum of understanding with Google Cloud in Africa, and will see an improvement in cyber security and cloud offerings to companies across the continent, while introducing them to Google Cloud’s latest AI, data, collaboration, and security solutions.
Commenting on the collaboration, Masiyiwa, co-founder and executive chairperson of Cassava Technologies, said the collaborations with Google Cloud and Anthropic signify a significant step in the company’s journey as Africa’s leading cloud and cyber security provider.
“We recognise the importance of responsible AI in enabling access to economic opportunities and empowering individuals and businesses across the continent. Our partnerships with these two leading technology firms will help us deliver AI-powered solutions that address the unique challenges and opportunities in Africa’s digital transformation journey. Together, we are setting new benchmarks for these solutions that cater to the complex needs of a diverse clientele.”
Google Cloud chief executive officer Thomas Kurian said the collaboration will help provide African businesses with a foundation for innovation.
“Businesses are increasingly turning to generative AI to drive operational efficiencies, improve the customer experience, and empower their employees like never before,” Kurian said.
“Building on Google’s commitment to investing US$1 billion to boost Africa’s digital transformation, our collaborations with market leaders like Liquid C2 and Anthropic will help bring gen AI, security, and other cloud technologies to businesses across the continent. This partnership has the opportunity to transform how African businesses serve and engage their customers as we provide them a foundation for innovation.”
Anthropic president Daniela Amodei said the partnership will help African businesses with infrastructure crucial for their growth.
“We are excited to partner with Liquid C2 and Google Cloud, bringing frontier AI to businesses across Africa. Combining Anthropic’s safe, steerable AI with Google Cloud’s secure, scalable infrastructure means this partnership has huge potential to enable African companies to grow.”
