Google has named Kabelo Makwane as its new country director for South Africa, with his tenure set to begin on January 6, 2025.
Bringing over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Makwane currently serves as the managing executive for cloud, hosting, and security at Vodacom Business. His distinguished career includes leadership roles such as managing director for the Africa Global Unit at Accenture Operations and several positions at Microsoft, including country managing director for Nigeria and public sector director in South Africa.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Makwane said, “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.”
Alex Okosi, Managing Director of Google Africa, welcomed Makwane’s appointment, emphasizing the significance of the timing. “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 stated.
Makwane holds an MBA from Wits Business School and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
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Makwane’s appointment underscores Google’s ongoing dedication to driving digital transformation across Africa.
In November 2024, the company unveiled its latest cohort for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa: Black Founders program during the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa.
A month earlier, Google pledged $5.8 million through Google.org to fund AI and cybersecurity training initiatives in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. This commitment aligns with the company’s broader $1 billion investment announced in 2021 to support Africa’s digital evolution over five years.
Additionally, Google continues to nurture innovation on the continent, with 10 African startups selected for its eighth Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program in August 2024.
Makwane’s leadership at Google South Africa is expected to play a crucial role in advancing the company’s mission to empower businesses and individuals through technology, ensuring the region remains a key player in the global digital sphere.
