Google appoints Kabelo Makwane as SA country director

Kabelo Makwane has been appointed as Google's country director for South Africa, and he will start the role on January 6, 2025.

Makwane has over 20 years of experience in the technology sector and currently serves as managing executive for cloud, hosting, and security at Vodacom Business.

His previous roles include managing director for the Africa Global Unit at Accenture Operations and various positions at Microsoft, including country managing director for Nigeria and public sector director in South Africa.

"I'm excited to join the team in South Africa and to help more people and businesses get more out of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet, and technology in general," Makwane said. 

Managing Director of Google Africa Alex Okosi welcomed Makwane's appointment, citing that he will join the company at an exciting time for both Africa and Google.

"With digital transformation accelerating across the continent, we are poised to leverage the power of AI to deliver innovative solutions that enable our users, partners and advertisers to thrive in this dynamic era. We're thrilled to have [Makwane] join our leadership team," Okosi explained.

Makwane holds an MBA from Wits Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Related:Google launches AI accelerator for Africa

Google's commitment to digital transformation

Makwane's appointment comes at a time of increasing digital transformation in Africa.

In November 2024, Google unveiled its 2024 cohort of Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: Black Founders program on the sidelines of the Africa Tech Festival (ATF) held in Cape Town, South Africa.

Google has been been making commitments to work towards digitally transforming the continent. (Source: Freepik)

In October 2024, the company pledged US$5.8 million in Google.org funding to support AI and cybersecurity training initiatives in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

Furthermore, it selected 10 African startups to participate in its eighth cohort of the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program in August 2024.

These different moves fall in line with the company's 2021 pledged to invest $1 billion over five years to support Africa's digital transformation through a range of initiatives.