Slow internet in Africa might be a thing of the past once google releases its app dubbed Google Go in Africa.
The app is set to overcome obstacles such as the lack of high speed connectivity and the cost of data and low storage space that often make it hard for people to get the most out of the internet across the continent
In reducing the amount of data needed to display search results by 40 percent it will also allow previous searches to be accessed offline.
While giving a nod to the app, the chief marketing officer on Thursday Mazomo Masito notes that the internet giant has adapted the voice function to work better on slow connections,even as basic as 2G networks.
According to Masito,“Google Go is built to handle these challenges.”
The release of Google Go is the U.S. technology giant’s latest attempt to extend its reach into emerging markets such as sub-Saharan Africa, where Facebook Inc. is also making inroads.
The Alphabet Inc. unit has laid fiber-optic cable on the continent, eased access to cheaper Android phones and trained a workforce in digital skills.
U.S. tech giants see Africa as a relatively untapped market for smartphones and services such as web search and social media.
Younger consumers in sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly demanding quicker internet speeds and cheaper phones to go about their business, while MTN and Vodacom see the digital space as their fastest-growing market.
The new app will be available in 26 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and will be pre-installed on all Android Oreo devices. The company also plans to make it available in other emerging markets, including India, Brazil and Indonesia, Masito said in an interview.
