Kenya is set to benefit from Google's Ksh120 billion plan to create a Cloud Region in sub-Saharan Africa as committed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pachai.
In a statement dated Wednesday, October 5, Google Cloud Africa Director Niral Patel revealed that an interconnect station under construction in Nairobi will be launched.
Patel explained that it will be part of an elaborate plan to grow an open and healthy ecosystem of technology solutions to transform Africa's digital goals.
"We are expanding our network through the Equiano subsea cable and building Dedicated Cloud Interconnect sites in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos and Nairobi. This will lead to more opportunities for businesses," he stated.
In addition, Google will establish its first African product development centre in Nairobi. The facility will be used to incubate, develop and build better products for Africans.
"Google Cloud is already working with customers across the continent – helping them solve business critical challenges, get online, and access the benefits of digital technology," read the statement in part.
To further ease business in Kenya, the tech giant has expanded its coverage of the country on its Maps application to foster navigation in the country.
"To make Maps more efficient, Google has refreshed Street View in Kenya kilometres of imagery to help people virtually explore and navigate neighbourhoods," the global tech company explained.
The CEO exuded confidence that thousands of jobs will be created not only in Kenya but also other countries in the continent. Patel affirmed that Africa's internet economy had the potential to grow to Ksh21.7 trillion (USD180 billion) by 2025.
So far, the search engine company has invested Ksh6 billion (USD50 million) in nine African tech startups including Kenyan e-logistics company, Lori Systems.
Furthermore, it partnered with the United Nations (UN) to launch the Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI), a global partnership aiming to accelerate Africa’s economic growth and sustainable development.
On September 6, 12 Kenyan start-ups were selected among 60 entries into the Startups Black Founders Fund (BFF) for Africa to receive non-dilutive awards of between Ksh6 and12 million, and up to Ksh24 million in Google Cloud credit.
