Over 500 key players from various sectors including ICT, publishing, advertising as well as Swahili linguists are held up at the Think With Google event in Kenya’s capital Nairobi discussing the role of technology in the country’s growing economy.
The four-day event is expected to among others, equip players in the media and publishing industries with skills and tools developed by the search giant. It is also hoped to demonstrate the critical role online solutions play in business and the shift from productivity restrained to physical boundaries.
Overall, the event aims to bring out the role of technology and the Internet in startup businesses, efficient ways of sharing data and ways of encouraging innovation.
“We want to share value that digital can bring to different sectors, but also connect businessmen with local talent who can execute on their digital strategies,” said Google’s sub-Saharan ambassador John Mucheru.
Google also intends to encourage Swahili linguists to create more Swahili content to maximize on a range of products the company has put together for its Swahili clientele including the Google translator toolkit.
“While various Google products are available in Swahili, Swahili content online is still minimal,” explains the company’s sub-Saharan Africa localization specialist Salome Nduku.
Guest speakers invited include chairman of the commission of revenue collection Micah Cheserem and the CEO of Brand Kenya Mary Kimonye.
