US technology services giant Google plans to invest $ 1 billion in Africa to support “digital transformation” on the continent. The investment will be made under the “Google for Africa” program, according to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google.
The program will include landing an undersea cable on the continent to accelerate internet speeds for small businesses, providing low interest loans to small businesses, investing in African start-ups , the provision of vocational training, etc.
“We have made tremendous progress together over the past decade – but there is still work to be done to make the internet accessible, affordable and useful for every African. I am delighted to reaffirm our commitment to the continent through an investment of $ 1 billion over five years to support Africa’s digital transformation, to cover a range of initiatives from improving connectivity to improving connectivity. ‘investing in startups,’ said Sundar Pichai.
The initiative includes investments across the continent, including Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and Ghana. Technically, a submarine cable will link Africa to Europe passing through South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria and Saint Helena.
According to Google’s chief executive in Africa, Nitin Gajria, the cable will provide a network connection with around 20 times the capacity of the last cable built to serve the continent. The project will result in a 21% reduction in Internet prices and an increase in Internet speed in Nigeria and almost triple in South Africa, with the creation of around 1.7 million jobs in the two countries by 2025.
Google also announced an investment of “$ 50 million in start-ups operating on different continents, giving them” access to Google employees, network and technology to help them create meaningful products for their communities. ” . These countries include Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
