Google’s $1bn Africa investment sparks tax debate

Google has announced that it plans to invest US$1bn over the next five years, mainly to ramp up efforts towards digital transformation in Nigeria and other countries on the continent of Africa.

The different projects and investments planned by Google is expected to bring about a 21% reduction in the cost of internet services and a five-fold rise in internet speed in Nigeria.

The firm revealed this at the first Google for Africa event which held on Wednesday.

“Google remains committed to being helpful to every African business, person and classroom. Google is invested in building our global infrastructure to help bring everyone online,” said Nitin Gajria Managing Director for Google in Africa.

One of the key projects planned as part of this investment is Equiano, a state-of-the-art subsea cable which will connect Africa with Europe. The firm claims to have hit remarkable milestones on the construction of branches landing in Nigeria, Namibia, St Helena, and South Africa.

Google will also provide financing facilities to African tech startups and entrepreneurs, while also renewing its non-profit commitments on the continent, Nitin Gajria told the BBC.