--- title: "Microsoft (MSFT) Has a New Plan to Counter DeepSeek" type: "News" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/278823536.md" description: "Microsoft (MSFT) is expanding its AI initiatives in Africa, aiming to train three million people in AI skills this year, focusing on South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco. The company is partnering with MTN Group to provide Microsoft 365 and Copilot AI to 300 million subscribers. This move comes as China's DeepSeek platform gains traction in Africa, accounting for 11% to 14% of chatbot use. Microsoft plans to invest $330 million to enhance its cloud and AI infrastructure in South Africa and is exploring a geothermal-powered data center in Kenya. Analysts have a Strong Buy consensus on MSFT stock, with a target price of $594.02, indicating significant upside potential." datetime: "2026-03-12T05:10:54.000Z" locales: - [zh-CN](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/278823536.md) - [en](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278823536.md) - [zh-HK](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/278823536.md) --- > Supported Languages: [简体中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-CN/news/278823536.md) | [繁體中文](https://longbridge.com/zh-HK/news/278823536.md) # Microsoft (MSFT) Has a New Plan to Counter DeepSeek The global AI race is spreading beyond the U.S. and Europe. Microsoft (MSFT) is now turning to Africa, aiming to expand the use of its AI tools while competing with China's fast-growing platform, DeepSeek. ### Claim 70% Off TipRanks Premium - Unlock hedge fund-level data and powerful investing tools for smarter, sharper decisions - Stay ahead of the market with the latest news and analysis and maximize your portfolio's potential The company said it plans to train three million people across Africa in AI skills this year. The effort will focus on key markets including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Morocco, working with schools, universities, and other institutions. ## **Microsoft Expands Its AI Push in Africa** The training program is meant to boost the use of Microsoft's AI services, including Copilot and Azure, while helping developers, students, and businesses learn how to use the technology. Microsoft is also partnering with MTN Group (MTN), Africa's largest telecommunications provider, to offer Microsoft 365 and its Copilot AI assistant to roughly 300 million subscribers. The company sees strong potential in the region as internet use and digital services continue to grow across many African economies. ## **DeepSeek Is Gaining Ground** Microsoft's move comes as DeepSeek, a Chinese open-source AI platform, gains traction in several African markets. According to Microsoft data, the platform accounts for about 11% to 14% of chatbot use across the region, with its share reaching around 20% in countries such as Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. To strengthen its presence, Microsoft is also investing in infrastructure. The company plans to spend 5.4 billion rand (about $330 million) to expand its cloud and AI capacity in South Africa by next year. It is also exploring plans for a geothermal-powered data center in Kenya. ## **Is Microsoft a Buy, Hold or Sell?** Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on MSFT stock based on 33 Buys and three Holds assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 5.6% rally in its share price over the past year, the average MSFT price target of $594.02 per share implies 46.72% upside potential. ### Related Stocks - [Microsoft Corporation (MSFT.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MSFT.US.md) - [GraniteShares 2x Long MSFT Daily ETF (MSFL.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MSFL.US.md) - [Direxion Daily MSFT Bull 2X Shares (MSFU.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MSFU.US.md) - [YieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF (MSFO.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MSFO.US.md) - [Global X Cloud Computing ETF (CLOU.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/CLOU.US.md) - [iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sect ETF (IGV.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/IGV.US.md) - [T-Rex 2X Long Microsoft Daily Target ETF (MSFX.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MSFX.US.md) - [State StreetSPDRS&PSftwr&SvcsETF (XSW.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/XSW.US.md) - [Direxion Daily MSFT Bear 1X ETF (MSFD.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MSFD.US.md) - [Kurv Yield Premium Str Microsoft ETF (MSFY.US)](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/MSFY.US.md) ## Related News & Research - [Barclays Reaffirms Buy Rating on Microsoft Stock (MSFT), Says E7 Presents a 'Clear Up-Sell Opportunity'](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278627477.md) - [14:54 ETHABS collaborates with Microsoft to build the next generation of Human-Aware AI](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278603741.md) - [Microsoft: Reiterating Buy on Wave 3 Copilot and Agent 365 as Key Drivers of Incremental AI Monetization and Long-Term Cloud Demand](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278443482.md) - [Microsoft adds higher-priced Office tier with Copilot as it tries to juice sales with AI](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278398005.md) - [Microsoft Launches $99 AI Software Subscription](https://longbridge.com/en/news/278587664.md)