Google for Nigeria: More helpful to more people in Nigeria and across Africa. (Google)

Google Goes Nigerian With Local Accent on Maps

Google announced on Wednesday (7/24) that it is launching new features with local accent voice on Google Maps in Nigeria.

The giant tech company has worked hard to expand its market to West Africa, especially Nigeria—the continent’s most populous country. With a rapid expansion of population and an increase in mobile phone users, many technology firms are considering African countries as potential growth areas.

In Nigeria, the local accent aims to attract more users as it is Google first move to offer such a service in Africa.

Through the service, Google offers transportation service from detailed maps to motorcycle ride-hailing services. Google's director of product management, Ramesh Nagarajan, said that the services will capture new users beyond just drivers because there are 10 million motorcycles in Nigeria, making it as hugely popular transportation for the citizens in the country.

Moreover, Google also partnered with local start-up Road Preppers Technologies Ltd to develop ‘informal transit’ to seek directions by gathering data on the different routes available, so users are able to choose the best route options based on weather, traffic, and road conditions. The map will include information such as expected fare, time travel, and photo of bus stops.

The motorcycle directions will also be available in Ghana, Rwanda, Togo, Uganda, and the Benin Republic from Wednesday.

Senior product manager Jeff Albertson hopes this will help outsiders or local people who are unfamiliar with the new town the visit to discover information about the journey.

Besides Google Map, local accent voice will also be available on Google Assistant. The whole effort is to make a better digital life for all people in Nigeria and Africa.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/google-goes-nigerian-with-local-accent---informal--transit-routes-11751190