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Google Unveils New Products, Features and other Programs at 3rd Google for Nigeria

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Juliet Ehimaun Chiazor, country director, Google Nigeria
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Google has announced new products and features to make its services more helpful to more people in Nigeria and across Africa.

 

The announcement was made at the third Google for Nigeria event held at the podium event center, Lagos

 

The new products and features include navigation instructions in a Nigerian voice for both motorcycle and car driving modes, new Street View imagery, Gallery Go, Google Go updates, Google Lens and Bolo, and a Nigerian culinary experience from Google Arts and Culture.

 

Speaking at the event, Juliet Ehimaun Chiazor, country director, Google Nigeria, said: “Every day, people in Nigeria, Africa and around the world turn to Google for help.

“We hope that the products and updates we’re announcing today will make Google even more helpful for fueling people’s hustles and getting things done.

 

“We remain committed to bringing the transformational power of technology to everyone in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”

 

Google has also partnered with the Nigerian Government to make an online safety curriculum available to all primary and secondary school students in the country, reaching an estimated 56 million Nigerian students every year.

 

Google has introduced a dedicated travel mode in Google Maps to provide directions and navigation for motorcycles in Nigeria.

 

This will also be available in Benin Republic, Ghana, Rwanda, Togo and Uganda from today.

 

In the next few months, Google will introduce a new directions experience for Lagos that is optimized for informal transit, bringing Danfo routes into Google Maps.

 

To help make it easier to visually explore places in Nigeria, Google is publishing more panoramic imagery on Street View.

Cross section of attendees at Google for Nigeria

 

Starting with imagery of Lagos two years ago, Google has added Street View imagery of Abuja, Benin City, Enugu and Ibadan – with almost 12 thousand kilometers of roads added.

 

With the growth of Android, more and more Nigerians have phones that take pictures. But not everyone has access to reliable, high-speed internet or cloud backup to quickly find a photo.

 

That is why Google has launched Gallery Go – a fast and smart photo gallery designed for users who don’t have a reliable internet connection.

 

Gallery Go brings many of the best features of Google Photos on device, to help them find, edit and manage their photos even when they are offline.

 

The app is only 10MB to keep the phone light and fast, so that you can spend more time capturing memories.

 

Gallery Go is available today on Google Play for devices running Android 8.1 (Oreo) or higher and will come pre-installed as the gallery app on the Itel S15 and select A55 devices, which will be available in Nigeria soon.

 

Google launched Google Go last year, making it easier for people to discover the best of the internet even on low-RAM smartphones or unstable network connections.

 

Google also at the event announced updates to make Google Go even more useful. The Discover feed has been integrated within Google Go to help people stay in the know with their interests.

 

It provides an ongoing look at the things they care about, like the latest content on their football team, people of interest, music and news stories.

 

From next week, users will also be able to access the Assistant directly from Google Go in a new Nigerian voice. Using only their voice, they will be able to ask Google to call their mum, play the latest Burna Boy video, or find the best Jollof in town.

 

Google Lens helps people to find out more about the world around them through their camera and photos.That’s why Google has launched Lens inside Google Go, to help people read, translate, and search the words they see simply by using their camera.

 

Users can open Lens, point it at a sign, and listen to the words read out loud. If they don’t speak the language, they can translate it into their own. Today, Google is also launching support for Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.

 

Bolo is a speech-based reading app that helps kids learn how to read in English. It encourages them to read out loud and then provides individual, customised feedback to help improve their reading capabilities. We launched Bolo in India earlier this year and today, we’re bringing it to Nigeria and Ghana.

 

Google Arts & Culture has cooked up a project, ‘Come Chop Bellefull: A Taste of Nigeria’, which pays tribute to Nigeria’s vibrant and diverse food culture.

Google Nigeria country director Juliet Ehimaun Chiazor in a pose with some bikers to hearld launch of Street view and other features

 

People across the world can now explore Nigerian regional cooking and culture through 2,000 high-resolution images and 30 stories created in collaboration with The Centenary Project at the Pan-Atlantic University.

 

In 2017 Google committed to training 10 million people in Africa on digital skills over 5 years. To date, 4M Africans have been trained.

 

Google has also trained 15,000 developers and awarded 33,000 scholarships to help African developers become certified on Android, Web, and Cloud technologies. 35 startups have graduated through the Launchpad Accelerator Africa program and, last year, Google awarded $6-million to 36 non-profit organisations across Africa through the Google Impact Challenge.

 

Building on this, Google is committing an additional $4 million to support youth empowerment, gender equality and agriculture, alongside piloting new initiatives to power the social impact ecosystem and promote research on what the future of work looks like for African youth.

 

 

 


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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How Zabira is Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

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Financial independence is no longer a distant dream but a daily reality, especially for young entrepreneurs cashing out weekly through innovative platforms like Zabira.

From trading gift cards to paying bills with crypto-converted naira, Zabira is proving to be more than just a fintech app; it’s a complete digital marketplace designed to fuel the ambitions of the next generation of hustlers.

With users reportedly earning up to ₦150,000 weekly from ongoing campaigns, Zabira has become a go-to platform for side income and full-time digital entrepreneurship.

Its frequent cashback campaigns reward both new and existing users, allowing them to earn 2% cashback on their first crypto trade and 3% on their first gift card trade, a simple but powerful incentive that reduces entry barriers for young people stepping into digital finance.

But Zabira isn’t just about trading; it’s about everyday life. In a move to deepen its utility and promote seamless living, the platform has expanded its bill payment business unit. Users can now pay for airtime, data, electricity (PHCN), TV subscriptions, and even fund wallets for platforms like Bet9ja, all within the Zabira App.

Zabira allows users to make utility and other payments directly using crypto. For added flexibility, users can also instantly convert their crypto to naira, removing any limitations and ensuring seamless transactions without bank delays or downtime.

This subtle integration of crypto into daily transactions is a major leap forward in digital financial inclusion. It not only helps normalise the use of digital assets but also provides practical avenues for users to derive real-world value from their crypto holdings.

Zabira also understands the frustrations of online subscriptions, especially when traditional bank cards fail. Through its robust gift card marketplace, users can buy and use cards for platforms like Netflix, Spotify, Google Play, Apple, Amazon, and more.

These cards offer a reliable alternative for accessing services that are increasingly essential for both work and leisure and are especially helpful for digital creatives, remote workers, and students.

Beyond utility, the platform keeps the entrepreneurial spirit alive with bonus campaigns on first-time gift card trades, creating more reasons for users to engage and earn. With every trade, Zabira positions itself not just as a service provider but as a digital enabler supporting users on their financial journey.

In a country where access to financial tools can often feel like a privilege, Zabira is leveling the playing field. Whether you’re a student looking to subscribe to an online course, a freelancer paying for tools, or a small business owner funding your daily operations, Zabira is building the infrastructure that turns these goals into everyday wins.

To get started using Zabira, users can download the app on Android and iOS devices.


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Driving Digital Inclusion: Anambra’s Mobile Tech Hub Brings Free WiFi to the People

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The Geeks & Founders Alliance for Soludo (GEFAS) has taken another bold step in supporting Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of a smart, connected Anambra with the official launch of its Mobile Tech Hub- a custom-built bus bringing free WiFi directly to the people.

Fully equipped with high-speed internet, voice and data services, and backup power, the GEFAS Mobile Tech Hub can connect up to 3,000 people at rallies, campaign grounds, and public spaces: expanding the Solution WiFi initiative already live at over 26 locations across Anambra.

The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, flagged off the Mobile Tech Hub at a brief ceremony held on Thursday, 24th July 2025, at the Tower of Light, Emeka Anyaoku Boulevard, Awka.

He was joined by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu; the Deputy Chief of Staff/Chief Protocol to the Governor, Chief Chinedu Nwoye; other senior government officials; the media; and the GEFAS community.

Dr. Ibezim, visibly excited as he inspected the hub’s features, described it as an initiative perfectly aligned with what the Governor is doing in the state.

“We don’t expect anything less from Agbata, who is a guru in this field: exactly why the Governor puts square pegs in square holes,” he said, pointing to the sophistication of the project and the Governor’s deliberate choices.

“I hear wherever this vehicle parks, people can connect freely, in line with our mantra of making Anambra a place to live, invest, work, relax, and enjoy

“I thank Agbata for this great feat and assure our government’s support to make Anambra the smart mega city we all desire

He further emphasized that this will not be a one-off.

“Mr. Governor is also working to make this permanent. We are not just going to leave you with one vehicle. So I encourage everyone: wherever you see this bus parked, connect to the free WiFi and get your job done.” he concluded.

Earlier in his remarks, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, CFA, GEFAS Convener and MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, said:

“We are here to celebrate innovation made possible by Mr. Governor’s forward-thinking policies, like waiving Right of Way (RoW) charges, which opened up fibre optic expansion and connectivity across Anambra.

“Today, various public places, student lodges, and even four higher institutions in the state already enjoy free WiFi, just as Governor Soludo promised in his People’s Manifesto.

“Now, with this Mobile Tech Hub, wherever the Governor goes during the campaign period, people can enjoy free connectivity and high-speed internet.

“All over the world, we know that when broadband expands, the economy grows.

He added, “Data is expensive these days, so this bus will bring relief to Ndi Anambra.

“Wherever you see it passing through your neighborhood, you can hop online for free- maybe download a movie, a song, or do whatever you like.

It’s a practical solution that the Solution Government is delivering. So, vote Governor Soludo, and let the Solution continue” Agbata concluded.

The bus is set to hit the road in the coming days, following Governor Soludo to campaign grounds and reaching far more neighborhoods in earnest.

With this milestone, GEFAS reaffirms its commitment to helping Anambra become the smart, connected, and prosperous state that every citizen can proudly call home.


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MTN Media Innovation Programme Fellows Gain Insight into Nigeria’s Connectivity Backbone

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Fellows of the MTN Media Innovation Programme (MIP) embarked on an intensive industry tour recently, gaining firsthand experience of MTN Nigeria’s infrastructure and learning how technology is shaping the future of connectivity and storytelling.

L-R: Dr Chike Mgbeadichie, Programs Director, Professional Education, School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University; Blessings Mosugu, Vice President, MTN Media Innovation Programme Cohort 4; Yahaya Ibrahim, Chief Technical Officer, MTN Nigeria; Rebecca Edun, Social Director, MTN MIP Cohort 4 and Isaac Ogugua-Ezechukwu, Programs Administrator, Professional Education, School of Media and Communications, Pan-Atlantic University, during the July session of the MTN Media Innovation Program held at the MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, recently.

The day began with a visit to the MTN Cable Landing Station, where the Fellows explored the facility that serves as a gateway for international data traffic. The tour provided insights into the network that powers Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

At the MTN Switch in Aromire, the group observed key operations ensuring seamless connectivity across the country. They were guided through the processes that keep millions of Nigerians connected daily.

Later at MTN’s Head Office in Falomo, the Fellows engaged in two sessions with the company’s executives.

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, discussed the role of 5G and IoT in driving innovation and storytelling in the media. “5G is not just about speed; it’s an enabler of experiences,” she said. “With ultra-low latency and massive device connectivity, we can deliver high-definition content production, virtual reality experiences and cloud-native workflows that redefine how journalists create and audiences consume media.”

The CMO also noted that MTN’s leadership in 5G since 2022 has opened doors for industries such as healthcare, education, and entertainment to innovate.

In a session on network innovation and digital transformation, MTN’s Chief Technical Officer, Yahaya Ibrahim, shared how the company is leveraging artificial intelligence for demand planning and network optimisation. “AI allows us to predict faults, automate maintenance and plan smarter for Nigeria’s unique needs,” he said.

He also highlighted the technical challenges of maintaining network stability. “From seamless handovers between base stations to combating fibre cuts and vandalism, we work around the clock because connectivity is critical to the economy and to people’s lives,” Ibrahim said.

The day provided Fellows with a comprehensive understanding of MTN’s infrastructure and the technologies shaping Nigeria’s digital future, reinforcing the programme’s goal of empowering media professionals to tell richer, more informed stories about the industry.


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