Google, said on Monday it would offer Motorbike Mode on Google Maps in Kenya, offering the voice navigation service for bike riders in Africa for the first time.
Kenyan roads are full of motorcycles taxis, known as boda bodas, that are much cheaper rides to car taxis.
Google, part of the U.S. firm Alphabet Inc, already provides the service in Asian nations, such as India.
“For over a million Kenyans, boda bodas are a convenient and affordable way to move and transport goods from one place to another,” Google said in a statement.
“With Google Maps’ new Motorbike Mode, users across Kenya will now be able to get directions and turn-by-turn navigation, to suggest routes that are more efficient,” it said.
Google also said it was launching its Street View service in Kenya for the first time, allowing users to virtually explore via its images 9,500 km (6,000 miles) of roads in cities such as Nairobi and holiday destinations such as Malindi on the coast.
The company has also set aside 100 million shillings ($992,000) to train Kenyan farmers in digital skills, it added.
Google’s Kenya manager, Charles Murito, said the company had targeted farmers because it employed 40 percent of the population and accounted for a third of gross domestic product (GDP).
“We want to see the power of technology elevate small scale farming. We hope that through this initiative, we will see a positive impact in food security, job creation and GDP growth in Kenya,” he said.
Google Maps’ motorcycle navigation mode has come to Africa https://t.co/a2RIMTAZc9
— Columnist Technology (@ColumnistTech) October 16, 2018
Google launches Motorbike Mode navigation in Kenya, first for Africa https://t.co/RIWcfwu37u
— Indica #E3CaroJu ? (@IndicaBady) October 16, 2018
[BUSINESS] Google launches motorbike maps for boda boda riders: Technology firm Google Monday introduced a motorbike mode on its maps, offering routes, traffic information and voice navigation service for riders.. https://t.co/tGteXWQSb5
— Breaking News (@News_Kenya) October 16, 2018
Google launches Motorbike Mode navigation in Kenya, first for Africa https://t.co/XNZak2HZpx
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 16, 2018
Google launches Motorbike Mode navigation in Kenya https://t.co/OJedsBnHBC pic.twitter.com/MJuNd1CJO6
— Too Wheels Mad (@Too_Wheels_Mad) October 16, 2018