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Cassava Technologies, a leading pan-African technology company owned by Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa, has introduced what it calls Africa’s first multimodel artificial intelligence platform—a move aimed at widening access to advanced AI tools across the continent.
The new Cassava AI Multi-Model Exchange (CAIMEx) allows mobile network operators to access leading AI systems from global providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google through a single, locally managed platform. The goal is to make powerful AI models more affordable and easier to use without the heavy infrastructure costs often required to deploy them.
“Africa has the potential to be more than a consumer of imported AI technologies,” said Ahmed El Beheiry, chief executive of Cassava AI. “With CAIMEx, we’re creating a bridge between global innovation and African ambition, enabling operators to offer world-class AI services to millions of users across the region.”
Expanding AI access across the continent
CAIMEx brings together a range of large language models, including Claude, Gemini, and others, giving operators the flexibility to choose what works best for their businesses. The platform can be used to improve customer engagement, automate support, enhance decision-making and power new digital products.
Cassava said all services are hosted within its network of regional AI factories to keep data in Africa and comply with local data protection laws. This setup, the company added, ensures data privacy, speeds up performance, and supports regional compliance standards. The service is also designed to reach beyond major corporations, giving small and medium-sized enterprises access to tools that can improve productivity and competitiveness in local markets.
Masiyiwa’s push for Africa’s digital independence
Masiyiwa, whose net worth is estimated at $1.3 billion, has been one of Africa’s strongest voices for digital self-sufficiency. Cassava Technologies operates across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, with businesses including Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Africa Data Centers, Liquid C2, Cassava.ai, and Sasai Fintech.
In September Cassava announced plans to build five AI factories across Africa within the next 12 months. The company which also secured an investment partnership with NVIDIA to expand its AI and cloud capabilities is strengthening its role in the continent’s digital transformation.
