Google today announced new investments in digital infrastructure and security efforts aimed at improving digital connectivity, accelerating economic growth, and strengthening resilience across Africa.
Expanding connectivity in Africa with Umoja
To increase the reach and reliability of digital connectivity in Africa, we are today announcing Umoja, the first fibre optic route directly connecting Africa with Australia.
The Umoja cable route will stop in Kenya and travel through Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, including the Google Cloud region, and across the Indian Ocean to Australia. Umoja’s terrestrial route was built in partnership with Liquid Technologies to create a highly scalable route through Africa, including access points that make the network available to other countries.
Umoja, which means “unity” in Swahili, is part of Equiano’s Africa Connect initiative. Umoja will enable African countries to better connect with each other and the world. Establishing new, alternative routes to existing connectivity is essential to maintaining a resilient network in a region that has historically experienced high-impact power outages.
We are grateful to partner with leaders across Africa and Australia to deliver Africa Connect to people, businesses and governments in Africa and around the world.
“Access to the latest technology, underpinned by reliable and resilient digital infrastructure, is critical to expanding economic opportunity. This marks a significant moment in Kenya’s digital transformation journey, and the benefits of today’s announcement will ripple across the region.” Meg Whitman, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya
“We welcome Google’s investment in digital connectivity and are delighted that it marks a historic milestone for Kenya, Africa and Australia. The new intercontinental fiber route will significantly strengthen global and regional digital infrastructure. This effort is critical to ensuring redundancy and resiliency.”Strengthening the digital backbone will only improve reliability, especially in light of recent disruptions due to undersea cable cuts. digital inclusion, innovation and economic opportunity for our people and businesses. ”- His Excellency William S. Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya
“Diversifying Australia’s connectivity and supporting digital inclusion around the world are both incredibly important goals and Google’s Umoja cable will help achieve just that. Australia welcomes Google’s investment and congratulates all parties involved in this important effort.” – Michelle Rowland MP, Australian Minister for Communications
“Africa’s major cities such as Nairobi, Kampala, Kigali, Lubumbashi, Lusaka and Harare will no longer be hard-to-reach endpoints far from the coastal landing points that connect Africa to the rest of the world. It is a station on the data superhighway that can carry thousands of times more traffic than the world’s largest technology hubs. We are proud to help make the future a reality.” Streeve Masiyiwa, Chairman and Founder of Liquid
Expanding cooperation
In addition to today’s infrastructure announcement, Google has signed a statement of cooperation with Kenya’s Ministry of Information and Communications and Ministry of Digital Economy to accelerate joint efforts in cybersecurity, growing data-driven innovation, digital upskilling, and the responsible and safe adoption of AI for societal good.
Strengthen cybersecurity with cloud-based solutions
As part of the collaboration, Google Cloud and Kenya announced their intention to work together to strengthen Kenya’s cybersecurity. The Ministry of Immigration and Citizen Services has evaluated Google Cloud’s Cyber Shield solution and Mandiant’s expertise to strengthen Kenya’s cybersecurity. eCitizen Platform. CyberShield enables governments to build enhanced cyber threat capabilities, protect their web-facing infrastructure, and enable their teams to develop the skills and processes that drive effective security operations.
Realizing the benefits of digital transformation
Google has long recognized that investing in secure technology infrastructure plays a critical role in connecting communities, expanding education, and driving healthy economic development in Africa and around the world.
Since opening our first office in sub-Saharan Africa in Nairobi in 2007, Google has partnered with African governments on numerous digital initiatives. In 2021, he pledged to invest $1 billion in Africa over five years to support a range of initiatives to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation, from improving connectivity to investing in startups. did. Since then, Google has invested more than $900 million in the region and plans to fulfill its commitment by 2026. The collaboration announced this week is the latest step in delivering on our broader commitment to supporting Africa’s digital transformation, continued economic growth and innovation.
Supporting economic growth: According to third-party estimates, between 2021 and 2023, Google products and services generated more than $30 billion in economic activity across sub-Saharan Africa. According to a report by the International Finance Corporation, Africa’s internet economy could grow to $180 billion by 2025, equivalent to 5.2% of the continent’s GDP. Investments like Umoja, combined with developing the talent that can benefit from and contribute to a growing digital economy, ensure that citizens have access to government services and critical information, while businesses can thrive and bring lasting economic growth to local economies.
skill: Our training and certification efforts help entrepreneurs leverage digital technology to get the most out of the web to build and sustain their businesses, thereby driving lasting economic growth for local economies. To do. For example, his five-day bootcamp, Google Hustle Academy, launched in 2022, focuses on subjects such as leadership, business strategy, and e-commerce, and helps him grow more than 3,500 small and medium-sized businesses in Kenya. We have supported
AI innovation born in Africa, for Africa: Through our AI research centers in Ghana and Nairobi and our product development center in Kenya, we continue to build products and services that help tackle challenges across the continent. For example, in Kenya, Google partnered with Jacaranda Health to improve maternal health by expanding access to ultrasound. Google is also working with Kenyan healthcare organizations such as IntelliSOFT, Ona, and Medtronic Labs to strengthen the interoperability of digital healthcare solutions. Additionally, Google is conducting workshops with Kabarak University as part of its efforts to support digital health innovation in Kenya.
Google is committed to working more than ever with African communities, businesses, and governments to drive further innovation across the continent, and we’re excited about this new chapter for Kenya and the region. .
