Snowflake Expands to South Africa with AWS Deployment, Empowering Local Businesses with AI and Data-Driven Innovation
Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), a leader in the AI Data Cloud, has announced the general availability of its platform on Amazon Web Services (AWS) Africa (Cape Town) Region. This milestone marks a significant expansion of Snowflake’s presence in South Africa, enabling local organizations to harness the power of AI and data analytics while adhering to stringent data residency and sovereignty regulations. The deployment underscores Snowflake’s commitment to supporting businesses in driving innovation, fostering trust, and meeting compliance requirements—all without compromising performance or scalability.
This development comes at a pivotal time for South African organizations navigating complex regulatory landscapes. The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)—modeled after Europe’s GDPR—imposes strict guidelines on how personal data is processed and transferred across borders. Additionally, South Africa’s National Policy on Data and Cloud mandates that government and public-sector data be stored within the country’s borders. By deploying Snowflake on the AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region, Snowflake ensures that customer data remains local, reinforcing trust and compliance while empowering businesses to unlock deeper insights through AI-driven analytics.
“Snowflake’s expansion into South Africa represents a transformative step in our mission to empower local organizations with secure, cost-efficient, and high-performance data solutions,” said Luan Reineck, Country Manager for South Africa at Snowflake. “Through our partnership with AWS, we are bringing data closer to customers, helping them meet local regulations and fostering confidence in their cloud infrastructure. With Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud, businesses can innovate faster, make smarter decisions, and leverage the full potential of their data—all while retaining control over where their data resides.”
Empowering South African Businesses with Data and AI
South African organizations such as Carry1st, BluNova, and Mukuru are already leveraging Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud to drive business growth and enhance decision-making. By consolidating data into a single, secure, and governed platform, these companies are unlocking new opportunities to capitalize on AI and analytics.
“At Carry1st, as we scale our operations across 20 countries, having access to reliable, data-driven insights is critical to understanding our business and serving our customers effectively,” said Ziyaad Kumandan, Lead Data Engineer at Carry1st. “Snowflake’s platform has been instrumental in reducing our infrastructure costs by up to 45%, improving data refresh rates by over 300%, and enabling faster, more accurate insights. This has not only enhanced our operational efficiency but also strengthened our ability to deliver exceptional customer experiences.”
The deployment of Snowflake on AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region offers regional customers greater flexibility in choosing a geographical location that aligns with their operational needs. This ensures that businesses can optimize their cloud infrastructure for performance, security, and compliance while maintaining control over their data.
Driving Digital Transformation Through Collaboration
As part of its ongoing investment in South Africa, Snowflake is collaborating closely with its network of system integration partners to advance the One Million Minds initiative. This global program aims to equip learners with cutting-edge AI and data skills, empowering them to thrive in the digital economy. By partnering with local system integrators, Snowflake is positioning itself at the forefront of Africa’s digital transformation, enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of their data and compete on a global scale.
This collaborative effort highlights Snowflake’s dedication to fostering innovation and growth within the region. By scaling the adoption of its AI Data Cloud platform, Snowflake is not only empowering local businesses but also contributing to the broader development of South Africa’s tech ecosystem.
Celebrating the Launch of Snowflake in South Africa
To mark this significant milestone, Snowflake will host a launch event on September 3 at The Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town. The event will bring together industry leaders, partners, and customers to celebrate the arrival of Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud in the region and explore its potential to transform businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about how Snowflake’s platform delivers unmatched scalability, security, and performance, enabling organizations to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world.
For further information or to register for the event, visit Snowflake’s official website.
Unlocking the Future of Data and AI in South Africa
Snowflake’s deployment on AWS Africa (Cape Town) Region represents more than just a technological advancement—it’s a catalyst for change. By addressing the unique challenges faced by South African organizations, including regulatory compliance and data sovereignty, Snowflake is paving the way for businesses to innovate confidently and efficiently.
In today’s digital age, the ability to harness data and AI is no longer optional—it’s essential. With Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud, South African organizations can now access a secure, scalable, and high-performance platform that meets their specific needs. Whether it’s improving operational efficiency, enhancing customer experiences, or driving strategic decision-making, Snowflake empowers businesses to achieve their goals while staying compliant with local regulations.
As South Africa continues its journey toward digital transformation, Snowflake’s expansion reinforces its role as a trusted partner in enabling businesses to unlock the full potential of their data. By bridging the gap between innovation and compliance, Snowflake is helping local organizations not only compete but lead on a global stage.
With this latest development, Snowflake is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of data and AI in South Africa, driving economic growth, and fostering a culture of innovation that benefits businesses and communities alike.
About Snowflake
Snowflake is the platform for the AI era, making it easy for enterprises to innovate faster and get more value from data. More than 12,000 customers around the globe, including hundreds of the world’s largest companies, use Snowflake’s AI Data Cloud to build, use and share data, applications and AI. With Snowflake, data and AI are transformative for everyone. Learn more at snowflake.com (NYSE: SNOW).
