Google Supporting Technology Hubs in Africa

Google Africa Blog, Friday, May 4, 2012

As part of our mission in Africa to make the internet more relevant and useful, we are partnering with tech hubs. Our goal is to enable tech hubs by providing them with technical content, business tools, infrastructure upgrades, so that they can support increasing demand from developers and start-ups.

Whether an established tech hub like iHub (Kenya), or a brand new hub such as KINU (Tanzania), these partners are the technology leaders in their community and a logical home for Google communities such our Google Developer Groups and Google Business Groups. These groups are made up of entrepreneurs, developers and tech enthusiasts who use Google tools to create relevant solutions for themselves and their customers, and to power their businesses. For example, Olalashe, one of the winners of the Africa Android Developer Challenge, was developed by David Lemayian working out of the iHub.

Tech hubs provide a venue for developers and the wider tech community to engage directly with companies and training partners like Google. They host a range of events, workshops, and provide co-working space. Googler Bob Aman holds regular office hours at iHub in Nairobi, and earlier this year Googlers presented at CcHub’s Developers Parapo event “Google and the Nigerian Techie in 2012” in Lagos.

Developers Parapo event at CcHub

For those unable to attend Google I/O in person, we are working with our hub partners to bring the event live to you. This way, you can still connect with other talented developers and watch the keynote and other major sessions live. If any of the hubs is in your country, add them to your circle on Google+ and you’ll be updated on attending Google I/O Extended sessions. Thanks to our passionate technology leaders for providing an avenue for us to engage: Co Creation Hub (Nigeria), ICEAddis (Ethiopia), iHub (Kenya), Jokko Labs (Senegal), KINU (Tanzania), and iLab (Liberia).

Posted by Johanna Kollar, Program Manager, Emerging Market Start-Up Support