Google to Offer Free Website Set-Up for Kenyan SMEs

Google has launched an SME hub project to provide young entrepreneurs with a free website and online creation services in order to increase their visibility to potential consumers.

The new initiative comes two months after Google launched the first internet balloons in Kenya that provide 4GE internet in July 2020.

The SME Hub will enable young entrepreneurs to expand their markets by providing real-time information necessary for cross border trades which will help in exporting products around the globe.

Google East Africa director Agnes Gathaiya says “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.”

Since major businesses have been shifting to online platforms due to the pandemic, SMEs will access the market finder facility that enables them to connect with their customers locally and around the world.

Google has spent Ksh.325million on the project dubbed Rising Together that is meant to help online learning schools in all levels and women-led businesses.

Give Directly, a non-governmental relief agency teamed up with google and had a grant of Ksh.125 million to 500 women.

The beneficiaries will receive a Ksh.6,500 stipend for six months culminating in a non-refundable grant of Ksh.125,000 each to scale up their businesses.