Google has announced the opening of its first product development center in Africa, which will be based in Nairobi.
This follows the company’s intention to invest $1 billion (Sh115 billion) in Africa to promote and strengthen the continent’s technology sector.
Google is looking for over 100 coders, software engineers, user interface and user experience designers, and product managers to work at its new product development center.
“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,” reads an excerpt from the company.
“We’re hiring engineers, product managers, UX designers and researchers in Nairobi who want to build helpful products and services for people in Africa and around the world,” added Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a tweet.
The new center is Google’s second major research and development investment in Africa, following the inauguration of an AI and research center in Ghana in 2019.
Kenyans who are interested in applying should go to Google’s website.
“Africa has been at the forefront of innovation, and we believe that we are going to continue to develop and innovate right here from the continent,” said Google’s policy lead for Sub-Saharan Africa Charles Murito.
Africa is anticipated to have 800 million internet users by 2030, accounting for one-third of the world’s population under 35.
Google is the latest company to open an innovation hub in Nairobi, joining a growing number of tech behemoths.
President Uhuru Kenyatta inaugurated Microsoft’s Sh3 billion Africa development center on March 24.
One of two such facilities on the continent is the Nairobi Microsoft ADC, which is housed in the historic Dunhill Towers. The other facility, located in Lagos, Nigeria, was recently opened.
The facility, according to President Kenyatta, is a sign that the international IT community recognizes Kenya’s competitive capacity and talents.
“At Microsoft, we have always hired the smartest engineers we can find. That’s why we came to Kenya,” Joy Chik who is the Corporate Vice President of Engineering, Enterprise Mobility and Security at Microsoft praised.
