South Africa Launches Sovereign AI Cloud to Boost Local Innovation and Data Sovereignty

South African ISP Touchnet, in partnership with global cloud provider Zadara, has launched a sovereign AI cloud infrastructure at Digital Parks Africa’s Tier III-certified data center in Samrand, Gauteng. The development marks a major step in strengthening South Africa’s digital and artificial intelligence capabilities.

The GPU-powered cloud platform is designed to handle compute-intensive AI workloads, enabling local enterprises to run machine learning, big data analytics, and generative AI applications with reduced latency. Importantly, the infrastructure ensures full data sovereignty – critical for sectors operating under strict compliance rules.

“By hosting the AI cloud locally, we offer secure, high-performance solutions that reduce reliance on offshore providers and accelerate local innovation,” Touchnet said in a statement.

The Samrand facility, known for energy efficiency and security, provides a resilient environment for sovereign cloud services. The launch is expected to drive adoption in finance, healthcare, education, and manufacturing.

Touchnet, a regional expert in deploying Zadara’s edge AI cloud solutions, aims to expand access across Africa. Zadara currently operates over 500 clouds in 24+ countries, serving more than 250 partners globally.

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