US technology company Google opens its very first Digital Space, a hub for African developers, entrepreneurs, and startups, in Lagos, Nigeria. This is a move to further express the company’s readiness to support the ICT environment on the continent.

“We have partnered with Impact Hub to bring the Space to life, and worked with a local company called Spacefinish, which designed it specifically to create an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. We’re looking forward to working with startups and other players in the ecosystem from across the continent at the Space,” says head of Operations - Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa - Onajite Emerhor.

According to Juliet Ehimuan, Manager of Google Nigeria, “this space is the next step to our support for developers across the continent, from our commitment to train 100,000 developers across Africa and the launch of developer merchant support in the Google Play store, making it possible for developers to earn money through apps they build.”

Access to the new space is free of charge. In addition to hosting Google Launchpad Accelerator Africa, the center will also support developer meetups, digital skills training, Women in Tech events, startup programs (outside of Launchpad), partner events that support ICT entrepreneurship and the developer ecosystem, among others.