Google has launched its first Google Developers Space in Africa. The new space, located in Lagos, will serve as a hub for African developers, entrepreneurs and startups.
The hub which was formerly named Google Launchpad Space was born of the commitment made to African entrepreneurs by Google chief executive officer, Sundar Pichai to African entrepreneurs in 2017 to create a space to support their efforts.
Speaking on the launch, the head of Operations Launchpad Accelerator Africa, Onajite Emerhor explained that Google was strengthening its commitment with the African tech ecosystem. He added that they were looking forward to working with tech players on the continent.
“Google is strengthening its commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Africa by opening the Google Developers Space today. We have partnered with Impact Hub to bring the Space to life and worked with a local company called Spacefinish, which designed it specifically to create an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. We’re looking forward to working with startups and other players in the ecosystem from across the continent at the Space,”
Onajite Emerhor, the head of Operations Launchpad Accelerator Africa
Reiterating Google’s commitment to African developers, Google’s country director, Juliet Ehimuan explained that the space was the next step in Google’s support to help developers earn money through the apps they build.
“This space is the next step to our support for developers across the continent. From our commitment to training 100 000 developers across Africa and the launch of developer merchant support in the Google Play store, making it possible for developers to earn money through apps they build. We are excited to continue our journey with the African startup and developer communities,”
Juliet Ehimuan, Google’s country director
The Google developers Space will house Google’s Launchpad Accelerator in Africa, support developer meetups, women in tech events, training, expert’s office hours, and startup programs (outside of Launchpad).
According to Google, the hub will be free and will also partner to host events that support the wider entrepreneur and developer ecosystem, as well as Google initiatives for empowering people through digital skills training.
Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa kicked off in 2018 and over 47 startups have participated across Africa. The startups created over 900 jobs and raised millions of dollars in Series of funds.
The Launchpad has accelerated startups from Nigeria and 16 African countries including Algeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.
The next class of the launchpad will kick off at the Google Developer Space in May 2020.
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