Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, disclosed during the African Union Summit Business Forum on Monday that the continent is moving toward a digital transformation.
“Africa is increasingly becoming a place where innovation begins,” he said. He cited the development of mobile payment systems, which were originally established in Kenya, as well as current renewable energy advances in the country.
Despite the hurdles, he applauded the Summit’s leadership for achieving “fast economic growth.”
He stated that Google has been collaborating with African countries to help citizens gain access to modern technology.
He cited the company’s plans to invest $1 billion to support digital transformation in Africa, focused on expanding internet access and adding infrastructure.
In addition, Google has invested in African startups in areas such as transport and tourism, like SafeBoda, which connects passengers to trustworthy drivers, or Send, a logistics platform for moving cargo.
“At the core of all these initiatives is a partnership. Success means working in close collaboration with African governments, the AU, UNECA and businesses in the digital ecosystem,” Pichai said. “We are committed to doing just that, to ensure every person in Africa can shape and share in the opportunities technology creates.”
Google’s Africa fund, in December, backed SafeBoda, a bike-hailing startup from Uganda, a report says.
That marks the first disbursement since Pichai launched the Africa Investment Fund in October.
The SafeBoda investment will help the company boost its transportation app across Uganda and Nigeria through new payment and financial services. It will also help expand passengers, drivers and merchants.
“SafeBoda welcomes Google to their community and are excited to continue to drive innovation in informal transportation and payments in the Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi driver in East Africa) or okada (West Africa) industry,” said Ricky Rapa Thomson, SafeBoda co-founder, in a Technext report.
