Google plans to finance the Equiano subsea cable, which will improve internet speeds and generate 1.6 million jobs in Nigeria. This is according to Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor, the Director of Google West Africa.
Ehimuan-Chiazor made the remarks during a Thursday visit to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, with a team from Google West Africa.
A statement issued by the Technical Assistant (Research & Development) to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Femi Adeluyi, read, “She updated the Minister on Google’s commitment to invest $1bn in Africa over the next five years, from October 2021. The investment includes funding for the Equiano subsea cable.
“The Equiano cable is expected to enable a five-fold increase in average Internet speeds in Nigeria and create 1.6 million jobs. Equiano, whose name was inspired by a Nigerian, is being launched as it lands at different points on the continent, much like a road construction that is launched as construction progresses.”
“According to the Director, Nigeria is a major landing point for the cable and the launch of this major milestone is expected to take place in April 2022,” Adelutyi added.
The Director also briefed the Minister on Google’s support for the Nigerian tech sector through skills development programs and grants, noting that over six million Nigerians had benefited from previous digital skills efforts, with a goal of reaching ten million.
