Digital technologies generated over Ksh.2 trillion across Sub-Saharan Africa: Report

Digital technologies generated USD 16 billion (Ksh.2.06 trillion) in economic activity across Sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, according to a new report released by Google.

The study, conducted by independent research firm Public First, reveals the significant role digital tools and infrastructure play in accelerating economic growth across the region.

With more than half of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa expected to gain internet access over the next decade, Google’s report dubbed the ‘Digital Opportunity of Sub-Saharan Africa’ reveals that this connectivity is expected to fuel GDP growth on the continent.

According to the report, a 1 per cent rise in internet access could boost the region’s GDP by nearly 6 per cent.

The findings further indicate that every dollar invested in digital technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa could generate over twice that in economic value by 2030.

In 2023 alone, Google’s products and services, including Google Search, Google Ads, and Google Cloud, are said to have benefitted over 1 million small and medium-sized businesses.

“When we are thinking about the work we do as Google, in essence, the most important thing is asking ourselves how our products impact the day-to-day lives of Africans at large," said Charles Murito, Google Regional Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy.

"And we are really proud to see that this report emphasises the output of the work that we are actually doing today."

It is estimated that artificial intelligence could increase the region’s economy by more than USD 30 billion (about Ksh.3.9 trillion), with Google’s research centres in Ghana and Kenya at the forefront.

"Leveraging Google AI as well as mobile phones we can be able to look at what challenges an expectant mother has and really solve childhood mortality," added Murito.

"That’s number one, and number two is looking around food security and leveraging AI…we’ve seen how we can be able to predict flood forecasting as well as locust prevention so that we can capture where locusts are hatching eggs, and those eggs can be destroyed before they hatch and therefore protecting the food that would otherwise have been damaged."

Google continues to invest in the continent, following a USD 1 billion (Ksh.129 billion) commitment made in 2021, with a view to improve internet connectivity, entrepreneurship, and innovation in Africa.