Google plans to invest $1 billion in Africa in five years for fast and cheaper internet and will back startups for the continent’s digital transformation.
This is also as it revealed plans to land another submarine broadband cable which will run across Nigeria to other five African countries and connect them to Europe, Google said on Wednesday.
The investment money which will be spread over five years is to support Africa’s digital transformation.
The investment focuses on enabling fast, affordable internet access for more Africans; building helpful products; supporting entrepreneurship and small businesses; and helping nonprofits to improve lives across Africa.
Google CEO, Sundar Pitchai announced the new developments at the company’s first Google for Africa event, yesterday.
Pichai, who is also the CEO of Alphabet, said the investment will include the landing of the subsea cable Equiano which will enable faster internet speeds and lower connectivity costs.
He said since 2017, Google has trained six million young Africans and businesses in digital skills. Google has also supported more than 50 non-profits across Africa with over $16 million of grants, and enabled 100 million more Africans to access internet services for the first time through Android.
Google is building global infrastructure to help bring faster internet to more people and lower connectivity costs. The subsea cable Equiano will run through South Africa, Namibia, Nigeria and St Helena and connect the continent with Europe.
