Google has expanded its Voice Search capabilities by adding support for 15 more African languages, further increasing its focus on Sub-Saharan Africa as the region’s digital footprint continues to grow. This update underscores Google’s commitment to making information universally accessible and useful, as millions of Africans connect to the internet for the first time over the next decade.
Matt Brittin, Google’s President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, emphasized this mission in a recent statement. “The next decade is set to be Sub-Saharan Africa’s digital decade – with more than half the population accessing the Internet for the first time. Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Extending Voice Search, voice typing on Gboard, and voice input on Translate to 300 million people across Africa is a key landmark in that,” Brittin said.
These new additions bring language support to a wider audience across the continent, making it easier for native speakers to access information, communicate, and interact with technology in their languages. By integrating Voice Search and voice input on tools like Gboard and Google Translate, Google opens up a world of digital possibilities for users in Africa. This update follows the company’s recent efforts in expanding internet infrastructure, rolling out training programs, and developing localized products specifically designed for African users.
In response to rising internet access rates and mobile adoption, Google’s voice search technology aims to cater to speakers of native languages who may be less familiar with traditional text-based interactions. This milestone is also expected to support greater inclusivity, enabling African communities to participate fully in the global digital economy, in turn driving innovation and economic growth.
