NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Google has committed support for startups, nonprofits and small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa to accelerate digital transformation and contribute to the country’s economic recovery.

This formed part of the global giant’s plan to invest $1-billion over five years to support Africa‘s digital transformation, announced by Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai in October 2021.

The focus of these investments is on enabling fast, affordable Internet access; building helpful products; supporting entrepreneurship and small business; and helping nonprofits to improve lives across Africa.

At the 2022 Google for South Africa event, Google South Africa country director Dr Alistair Mokoena said that small businesses contribute 52% to gross domestic product and employ millions of South Africans.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.