The giant of search engine platforms, Google has revealed plans to invest $1 billion over the next five years in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and others for digital transformation in the regions.
This announcement was made yesterday by the Chief Executive Officer of Google and Alphabet, Sundar Pichai at the first ever Google for Africa event held virtually and livestreamed.
According to Pichai, the planned $1 billion investment will focus on enabling fast, affordable internet services for more Africans, building helpful products; boosting entrepreneurship and technology; empowering and supporting businesses on a mission of digital transformation, and renewing funding for nonprofits in the region.
Pichai further explained that Google is building global infrastructure to help bring faster Internet to more people and lower connectivity costs.
He added that the subsea cable Equiano will run through South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria and St Helena and connect the Africa with Europe.
Speaking further, the Google CEO, said that the investment will also be used for the affordability of smartphones, as this is one area that hampers the accessibility of internet in Africa. He added that Android has developed a device locking technology as part of the Android platform that will enable partners to offer financed devices.
He further added that Google has collaborated with Kenya’s largest carrier Safaricom to support the launch of the first “Device Financing” plan in Kenya, and will expand this initiative across Africa with partners like Airtel, MTN, Orange, Transsion Holdings and Vodacom, and more.
According to him, these partnerships will help millions of first-time smartphone users gain access to quality, affordable Android smartphones.