Google to invest $1bn in Africa

Google has announced an investment of $1bn (£740m) in Africa over five years to help boost the continent’s digital transformation.

It marks the biggest investment by the US tech company in Africa.

The countries to benefit include Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.

One of the plans is a new underwater data cable for the continent.

Google’s managing director in sub-Saharan Africa said it would bring 20 times more network capacity than the last cable built to serve the continent.

Nitin Gajria said this would reduce data costs for the user, speed up data in several countries and create jobs.

Listen to his interview with the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme:

BBC