Cassava Technologies business, Liquid C2, on Wednesday launched Africa’s first Partner Experience Centre, powered by Google Cloud.

The Johannesburg-based facility provides the immersive, hands-on environment needed to architect and deploy cloud and AI solutions tailored specifically to African market needs.

Through the Johannesburg-based centre, partners will be onboarded to a structured journey that guides them in securing official Google Cloud accreditation and certification, with technical training provided by both Liquid C2 and Google.

It will also serve as a collaborative hub, allowing partners to work alongside specialist engineers to architect bespoke solutions, which, once finalised, will be brought to market through Liquid’s robust distribution network.

The Partner Experience Centre unlocks direct access to enterprise-grade technologies such as Gemini Enterprise and the "Gemini Playspace" for rapid AI experimentation, as well as provides specialist expertise to prototype, test and scale digital solutions in real-world environments.

“At Cassava Technologies, we believe the future of Africa’s digital transformation will be shaped through strong ecosystems that combine global innovation with local infrastructure and expertise,” said Cassava Technologies senior VP and South Africa and Botswana CEO Ziaad Suleman.

“The Partner Experience Centre powered by Google Cloud creates a practical environment where organisations can explore, test and scale solutions that deliver real business value.”

The combination of Liquid’s infrastructure, expertise and continental reach with Google Cloud’s advanced technologies will contribute to democratising access to AI and cloud capabilities for enterprises across Africa.

“By combining our advanced AI capabilities, including our Gemini models, with Liquid C2’s localised expertise, we are not just building a facility; we are building a hub for innovation that will empower businesses, create jobs and deliver the benefits of digital transformation to every corner of the continent,” added Google Cloud Europe, Middle East and Africa president Tara Brady.

“This is a pivotal moment in our commitment to Africa’s digital future. The Partner Experience Centre is a testament to our belief in the power of a strong partner ecosystem.”

As demand for advanced digital capabilities grows, the Partner Experience Centre serves as an innovation hub where enterprises, startups, academic institutions, developers and public-sector stakeholders can co-create locally-relevant solutions, fostering a sense of shared progress and community across Africa.

The facility also provides industry-specific platforms tailored to sectors including financial services, healthcare and retail.

These platforms demonstrate how AI-enabled solutions can reduce operational risk, improve efficiency, enhance customer engagement and unlock new growth opportunities across African markets.

The collaboration will focus on three core pillars of transformation, namely accelerated partner enablement; AI and technology innovation; and economic growth and job creation.

Under the pillar of accelerated partner enablement, the centre acts as a dedicated proof-of-concept hub designed to dismantle historical market barriers, and provides localised training, hands-on technology interaction and business support, leveraging Liquid’s capabilities to offer local currency billing and credit to manage financial complexity for resellers.

A primary focus of the AI and technology innovation pillar is empowering partners to build and deploy advanced AI solutions.

The facility features a dedicated "Gemini Playspace and AI Solutions" to certify technical staff, alongside integrated "Solutions Pods" where partners can demonstrate complete technology stacks to win complex enterprise bids.

Lastly, the economic growth and job creation pillar, by strategically broadening the partner network, will foster deep, localised expertise and act as a catalyst for new economic opportunities, creating a significant ripple effect of job creation for certified engineers and other technology professionals across the continent.