According to Microsoft President Brad Smith, the company has reached an agreement with Africa’s largest independent fibre network to expand internet access on the continent.
The fibre agreement with Liquid Intelligent Technologies aims to connect 20 million people in countries such as Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo by 2025, out of Microsoft’s previously announced target of 100 million.
“Our goal here is to use digital technology and investment as a catalyst to create more economic opportunity for the population,” Smith told Reuters on Tuesday, ahead of next week’s United Nations conference on the least developed countries.
According to Smith, the effort aims to create a new cloud computing and AI market that will benefit Microsoft in the long run.
The software company’s Airband initiative brings together telecom and power providers, non-profits, and governments to expand internet access.
Smith also stated that Microsoft would work with various partners to improve food production in Africa, including the use of artificial intelligence to monitor crops.