Liquid C2, a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African
technology group, has announced collaborations 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 across the continent.
Building on the November 2023 signature of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) for a collaboration with Google Cloud in Africa, Liquid C2
is set to improve cyber security and cloud offerings across the continent while
introducing them to Google Cloud’s latest AI, data, collaboration, and security
solutions. Customers of Liquid C2 can expect heightened security measures,
access to advanced cloud technologies, and a commitment to securing their
digital assets.
Liquid C2 is set to be one of Google Cloud’s largest Managed
Security Service Providers (MSSPs) in Africa, combining Google Cloud’s leading
security solutions with Liquid C2’s expertise and vision in offering
comprehensive security consulting. In addition, the collaboration enables
Liquid C2 to bring the capabilities of both Google Cloud and Anthropic’s AI
models to its customers via Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform1, helping businesses
develop and deploy solutions quickly within their cloud environments.
As a strategic partner of
Google Cloud’s innovative solutions in Africa, Liquid C2 will also deliver
Google Workspace to customers across the continent. 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.
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.
In a separate but related
development, 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.
Thomas Kurian, CEO of
Google Cloud said, “Businesses are
increasingly turning to generative AI to drive operational efficiencies,
improve the customer experience, and empower their employees like never before.
Building on Google’s commitment to investing $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.”
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.
Commenting on the
collaboration, Strive Masiyiwa, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Cassava
Technologies, said, “Our collaborations
with Google Cloud and Anthropic signify a significant step change in our
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.”
Daniela
Amodei, President of Anthropic, said: “We’re
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.”
By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye