Altron has officially launched South Africa’s first operational Artificial Intelligence Factory, a milestone that positions the company at the forefront of the continent’s digital transformation. The platform, developed in partnership with Nvidia, delivers enterprise-grade AI infrastructure, software, and services designed to make advanced AI accessible to local organizations. By combining global technology with local data protection, the initiative bridges a critical gap between innovation and sovereignty.
An AI Platform Built for South Africa’s Needs
The Altron AI Factory is a fully operational ecosystem that integrates Nvidia-accelerated computing and AI enterprise software. It provides enterprises with the necessary tools, training, and support to develop, deploy, and scale AI solutions securely within South Africa’s borders. With its infrastructure hosted locally, the platform ensures data remains protected under national jurisdiction while complying with regulatory requirements.
Empowering Early Adopters and Industry Leaders
The platform has already onboarded five launch customers, including Dataviue, Lelapa AI, and MathU. Each of these partners represents a unique use case for AI innovation, from data analytics to education and language technology. According to Dr. Bongani Andy Mabaso, Altron’s Chief Technology Officer, the goal is to “enable South African businesses to harness AI capabilities while keeping innovation close to home.”
Safeguarding Data Sovereignty
Data privacy remains a central concern in global AI deployment, and Altron’s approach directly addresses this issue. Hosted in an Nvidia AI-ready data center at Teraco, the platform ensures that all sensitive data stays within South Africa. Di Buijs, Head of Channel and Public Sector at Teraco, noted that the initiative “empowers industries like banking, financial services, and the public sector to leverage AI while maintaining full compliance with local regulations.”
Affordable Access to Advanced AI Infrastructure
A major barrier to AI adoption has been the cost and complexity of accessing powerful computing resources. Altron’s AI Factory solves this by offering AI-as-a-service at competitive rates, allowing companies to scale without massive capital investments. MathU’s founder, WA Burger, emphasized that “the same AI infrastructure used by global tech giants is now accessible locally, giving startups and enterprises alike the ability to iterate and grow faster.”
Driving Innovation Through Collaboration
Altron’s AI Factory is more than infrastructure—it is a collaborative ecosystem supported by local expertise and global partnerships. The company’s team of AI specialists offers consulting and managed services to help clients integrate AI effectively into their operations. Mike Wright, Executive for Data and AI at Altron Digital Business, said the initiative “eliminates the months-long setup and knowledge gap by giving businesses immediate access to the tools and expertise they need.”
Combining Global Standards with Local Relevance
Through partnerships with Nvidia, ASUS, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), Altron combines world-class performance with localized solutions. ASUS provides high-performance computing infrastructure, while HPE powers the platform’s marketplace software for AI services. This synergy ensures enterprises can build or consume AI solutions with global reliability and local control.
Building Africa’s AI Economy for the Future
The launch of the AI Factory marks a pivotal step toward creating a sustainable AI economy in South Africa. It empowers local businesses to innovate responsibly, supports startups addressing region-specific challenges, and reinforces South Africa’s position as a technology leader in Africa. As Dr. Mabaso highlighted, “We’re not choosing between global excellence and local context; we’re merging both to create something uniquely South African.”
With the AI Factory now fully operational, Altron has transformed the landscape for artificial intelligence in South Africa. The platform combines advanced technology, affordability, and compliance to accelerate AI adoption across industries. By keeping data local and innovation scalable, Altron’s AI Factory signals a new era where South Africa is not just catching up to global AI trends but defining its own.