Google has announced plans to establish its first cloud region in Africa.
Speaking during the 2022 Google for Africa event held in Lagos, the company’s CEO, Sundar Pichai noted that this development is part of efforts in delivering on the $1bn investment commitment he made in 2021.
According to him, the new Cloud Region which will be launched in South Africa, will help users, developers, businesses and educational institutions across Africa move more information and tools online, improve access options for customers and in turn, create jobs.
Similarly, the South Africa cloud region is expected to contribute more than a cumulative USD 2.1 billion to the country’s GDP, and support the creation of more than 40,000 jobs by 2030.
“We believe in growing an open and healthy ecosystem of technology solutions to support Africa’s digital transformation goals , which leads to more opportunities for businesses. It is part of our company-wide ethos to respect the environment, which is why we operate the cleanest cloud in the industry, supporting sustainable digital transformation.
“Along with the cloud region, we are expanding our network through the Equiano subsea cable and building Dedicated Cloud Interconnect sites in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Lagos and Nairobi. In doing so, we are building full scale Cloud capability for Africa”, director of Google Cloud Africa, Niral Patel said.
Already, Google Cloud is working with customers across the continent by helping them solve business critical challenges, get online, and access the benefits of digital technology.
“Our National Development Plan 2030 calls for stimulating growth in the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sector and innovation by driving public and private ICT investment, especially in network upgrades and expansion.
“Google’s recent efforts in this regard have been particularly encouraging. The Equiano cable landed in Cape Town recently, and the improved speed and reduced internet costs that this can deliver has the potential to drive much fuller Internet participation for many more South Africans”, deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Philly Mapulane noted.
Meanwhile, in a bid to make Maps more useful, Google also refreshed Street View in Kenya, South Africa, Senegal and Nigeria with nearly three hundred thousand kilometres of imagery.
This, according to the company, helps people virtually explore and navigate neighbourhoods on Google Maps.
In the same vein, Google is also extending the service to Rwanda, ensuring that ‘Street View’ is now available in 11 African countries.
“We are collaborating with governments, policymakers, NGOs, telcos, business leaders, creators and media so that we can help accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. And it’s the talent and drive of the individuals in the countries and communities of Africa that will power Africa’s economic growth”, Nitin Gajria, Managing Director, Google Africa revealed.