Google opens its first African Developers Space in Lagos, Nigeria

Tech giant, Google, has opened its first African Google Developers space in Lagos, Nigeria.

“This space, in addition to housing our Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa programme, will be used for developer training and meetings, innovation, research and startup programs, as well as carrying out our commitment to empowering people through digital skills training. ” so says Google Nigeria Country Director, Juliet Ehimuan Chiazor.

Back in 2017 Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, made a commitment to African entrepreneurs to start the Launchpad Accelerator Africa program and launch a space to house these efforts in Nigeria. The Google Developers Space is the realisation of that commitment, and will provide a hub where entrepreneurs, developers, mentors, VCs and investors can connect and collaborate with each other.

To ensure the space has the right African feel, Google partnered and co-located with Impact Hub to bring the Space to life and worked with a local company, Spacefinish to design and create an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.

Google says the space is free for members of the African tech community. In addition to housing Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa, the Space will support developer meetups, training, experts office hours, Women in tech events, Startup programs (outside of Launchpad), partner events that support the wider entrepreneur and developer ecosystem, as well as Google initiatives for empowering people through digital skills training.

According to Onajite Emerhor, Head of Operations Launchpad Accelerator Africa in a blog post, ” The launch of this space demonstrates our continued commitment to the Sub-Saharan African startup and developer ecosystems. As part of our support for developers we run programs such as Google Developer Groups and Women Techmakers, providing training and support for developers aligned with real-life job competency requirements. Community groups engage in activities like Study Jams – study groups for developers. ‘

There are 173 active Google Developer Groups (GDGs) in Africa, which provide an opportunity for developers to meet other developers with similar interests at GDG meetup events, which include talks on a wide range of technical topics and hands-on workshops. GDGs also host DevFests – community-led developer events focused on community building and learning about Google’s technologies. Last year, we saw more than 100 DevFest events held across Africa. The continent is also home to 135 Developer Student Clubs (DSCs) – university-based community groups for students interested in Google developer technologies. Google’s Women Techmakers initiative, which enables women in technology to thrive by providing visibility, community and resources, has over 150 chapters across 25 countries in Africa.