Google has announced that it is investing more than Sh110 billion in various schemes for the next five years to support the Africa digital transformation.

The initiative seeks to expand Google’s ongoing support for Africa’s digital transformation and entrepreneurship.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai made the announcement during the firm’s first ever Google for Africa event saying it will invest the said amount to support digital transformation in the continent.

“We made good moves together over the past decade but there’s more work we need to do to make the internet more accessible, and useful for every African. I am certain to increase our commitment to the continent through an investment for the next five years to support Africa’s digital transformation to cover a range of initiatives from improved connectivity to investment,” said Pichai

The company’s managing director for Africa, Nitin Gajria, says during the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a growing need for investment in tech startups than ever before.

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Through the African Investment scheme, Google said it will invest in 5 billion startups and give them access to Google employees, networks and technologies to help build products for their communities.

Small businesses in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa are expected to benefit from the scheme, with Ksh 1 billion set aside to pay low interest loans.

In 2017, the company launched its Grow with Google initiative with the common aim of training million young Africans and small business in digital skills.