On October 6, 2021, at the Google for Africa event, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced the company will invest $1 billion in Africa. The investment will be for the duration of 5 years and will cover initiatives ranging from improved connectivity to investing in start-ups.
The investments are aimed at supporting Africa’s digital transformation in areas such as:
- Enabling access to the internet and building products for African users.
- Helping businesses to achieve digital transformation
- Investing in entrepreneurs to spur next-generation technologies
- Supporting non-profits working to improve lives across Africa.
Google CEO also stated that the company plans to partner with African governments, policymakers, educators, and various businesses.
Before now, Google has contributed greatly to the development of technology and innovation in Africa. It has impacted the continent in numerous ways since the establishment of its offices in Africa.
The company has enabled over 100 million Africans to access the internet and has empowered uncountable businesses and creators with digital tools to accelerate their growth.
Google has also focused majorly on expanding opportunities through developing digital skills. As such, Google supported millions of Africans to develop skills needed to grow their career and business.
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Thousands of developers from all over Africa have received training from Google and the company has also supported dozens of start-ups to raise needed funding to support their innovations.
To achieve the goal of solving challenges relevant to Africa and the world at large, Google opened an AI research center in Accra, Ghana in 2018. In addition to these, Google has also developed products like Android Go and Files Go to ensure that everyone can have a great smartphone experience. On YouTube, black content creators are supported by the Google Black Voices Fund.
With this announced $1 billion investment, Google hopes to continue to support the growth of technologies and innovation in Africa while creating job opportunities for Africans.