Google is set to provide small and medium Kenyan businesses with free website and online profile creation services. Google is providing the service in a bid to increase its visibility to potential customers across the globe.
Newly appointed Google East Africa Head, Agnes Gathaiya, said the tech giant has established the ‘Google My Business’ SME hub. The platform will help the SMEs set up their profiles and websites at no extra cost.
Speaking at the launch of Google’s ‘Rising Together’ program, Ms. Gathaiya said, “They will be visible across the globe enabling shoppers to find them as well as linking them to customers looking for their products.”
The ‘Rising Together’ program will see Google support SMEs, boost women led businesses and also facilitate online learning for schools at all levels.
Ms. Gathaiya added that the service also has a market finder facility enabling linkages between the SMEs and customers from anywhere in the world.
The SME hub, will provide businesses with real-time information necessary for them to execute cross-border(regional) trades, helping them export products across the world.
She said, “Logistics, taxes as well as market networks are key in today’s business environment. The SMEs, who have also been suffering from disrupted supply chains due to the Covid-19 pandemic can now also search with ease for genuine suppliers of raw materials.”
Google also announced launch of a Sh125 million grant to 500 women via a partnership with GiveDirectly, a non-governmental relief agency where there will be a KES 6,500 ($68) stipend for six months to each beneficiary culminating in a ShSh125,000 ($1,253) non-refundable grant to scale up their businesses.