Google announced Tuesday its plans to invest Sh115.5 billion ($1 billion) in a product development hub in Kenya as part of a five-year investment in Africa.
KAMPALA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — According to a Tuesday announcement from Google, it will invest $1 billion in Africa over the next five years to establish a product development hub in Kenya.
- The Google investment follows Microsoft’s announcement last month that its premier engineering hub, the African Development Centre (ADC), will open offices and labs in Kenya after three years.
- The company noted that the development will expand access to affordable and fast internet, assist local entrepreneurs and SMEs, and benefit non-profit organizations.
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As reported by Business Daily, the center will create transformative products, offer services to Africans, and provide job opportunities to “visionary engineers, product managers, UX designers, and researchers to lay the groundwork for significant growth in the coming years”.
The American multinational technology company highlighted another benefit of the development: access to cheap and fast internet for low-income and small-business operators, as well as support for non-profit organizations.
“Google’s mission in Africa is to make the Internet helpful to Africans and partner with African governments, policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs and businesses to shape the next wave of innovation in Africa,” said Suzanne Frey, vice president for products at Google.
“Google’s mission in Africa is to make the Internet helpful to Africans and partner with African governments, policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs and businesses to shape the next wave of innovation in Africa,” said Google vice president for products Suzanne Frey.
“Today I am excited to welcome all Africans passionate about improving the digital experience of African users by building better products to apply for the open roles at our first product development centre in Africa,” said Frey.
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“Today I am excited to welcome all Africans passionate about improving the digital experience of African users by building better products to apply for the open roles at our first product development centre in Africa,” she continued.
In Ghana, Google LLC, the American multinational technology company has opened a new artificial intelligence center that has already begun hiring engineers, product managers, designer/user experience specialists, and researchers.
“The potential for Africa to become a leading digital economy is right on the horizon and Google is committed to accelerating Africa’s digital transformation through human capital and enabling African-led solutions to African and global problems through better products,” Nitin Gajria, managing director for Google Africa, said.
“The potential for Africa to become a leading digital economy is right on the horizon and Google is committed to accelerating Africa’s digital transformation through human capital and enabling African-led solutions to African and global problems through better products,” said Nitin Gajria, Google’s managing director for Africa.
The Google investment comes just a month after Microsoft announced its flagship engineering hub, the African Development Centre (ADC), with an office and labs worth $5.2 million after three years of operation.
