NAIROBI, Kenya, April 20 -Alphabet Inc’s Google is opening Africa’s first development centre in Nairobi and will hire 100 new employees in the new hub as it seeks to expand its base in the continent.
The new hub, Google said, will help to create transformative products and services for people in Africa and around the world.
Among the new employees sought by the firm include engineering managers, product managers, software engineers, and developer relations engineers.
“We’re looking for talented, creative, and collaborative people who can help solve difficult and important technical challenges, such as improving the smartphone experience for people in Africa or building products that will help everyone to thrive together,” Google said in a statement.
Nitin Gajria, Managing Director for Google in Africa reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to accelerating Africa’s digital transformation through human capital and enabling African-led solutions to African and global problems through better products.
“Google’s mission in Africa is to make the Internet helpful to Africans and partner with African governments, policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and businesses to shape the next wave of innovation in Africa. I am excited to welcome all Africans passionate about improving the digital experience of African users by building better products to apply for the open roles,” VP for Products, Suzanne Frey added.
Google initially said it will invest USD 1 billion over the next five years to allow for faster and more affordable internet access and to support entrepreneurship in Africa.
According to Google and Alphabet boss, Sundar Pichai “huge strides” have been made in recent years, but more work is needed to make “internet accessible, affordable and useful for every African”.
