Google has announced a $10 million grant to Small and Medium Entreprises (SMEs) in Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria seeking to support their economic recovery amid the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The funds, set to be disbursed in the next few weeks, will be managed by Californian-based NGO, Kiva, through two local financial service providers.
The news comes just a week after the firm announced plans to invest $1 billion in accelerating Africa’s digital transformation over the next five years, with a focus on enabling fast, affordable internet access for more Africans, build helpful products, support entrepreneurship and small business and help nonprofits to improve lives across in the continent.
Part of the investment includes a partnership with Safaricom Plc, which will ensure provision of affordable android devices to consumers through an agreed financing plan. The deal seeks to help first-time smartphone users in Kenya gain access to quality, affordable Android smartphones.
Google says the first “Device Financing” plan in Kenya will later be expanded across Africa, with partners including Airtel, MKOPA, MTN, Orange, Transsion Holdings, and Vodacom.
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