Google to help 500 000 small businesses in Covid relief efforts

A large Covid-19 response grant from Google.org seeks to focus on education, small businesses and jobseekers to help South Africa’s economy recover.

“The Covid-19 epidemic has been devastating on the country and Africa as a whole. People have lost their lives and livelihoods. Small businesses employ the largest workforce in the country and they have been the hardest hit,” said Google South Africa country director Alistair Mokoena.

Google will be looking at intervening in four different areas that will seek to drive the economy forward both during and after the pandemic.

The first is helping 500 000 small businesses digitally accelerate their offerings by the end of 2021 in the form of a digital bub with a variety of useful tools.

“We have launched a digital hub, which will give these small businesses access to new tools and services such as Google My Business, Market Finder and a marketing kit that we will be about to launch,” said Mokoena.
Google has identified that access to customers, access to tools and support, and access to finance is the most important thing for small businesses, and these tools aim to help.

“By helping 500 000 small businesses grow, one can only imagine the possibilities in reigniting our economy.
“Google My Business will help your business easily gain an online presence quickly. With Market Finder, a small business can target specific customers anywhere in the world in a supply-chain setting. It helps to alleviate pressing questions and research into these markets and how they will pay, at the simple click of a button,” continued Mokoena.

The second and third areas’ aim is helping vulnerable communities through partnerships with NGOs across the continent and to help three million jobseekers across the continent by the end of 2021.

Google is providing underserved communities and jobseekers with R12.5 million in IT support scholarships through Google.org across Africa.

“Here we are looking at helping these communities with a fund to help develop new skills, find work and help your mental well-being, with an emphasis on doing it all remotely.

“In vulnerable communities, we are looking at further grants to help place large numbers of South African youths in jobs and qualifications in IT, and help small businesses prosper in the coming few months,” said Mokoena.

Jobseekers can also access the Grow with Google training portal for help in growing their careers or businesses at their own pace and through flexible and personalised training courses.

The corporation has set aside R50 million in grants to NGOs that support education, entrepreneurship and women empowerment across Africa.

Lastly, Google will be looking to intervene in the space of education, where 500 000 learners and 25 000 educators will benefit from tools that the corporation will provide.

“We have seen how disruptive the pandemic has been in the education sector. Working remotely has become the norm, and a hybrid physical and digital presence is imperative during these times,” said Mokoena.

Through Google for Education, the corporation is working with partners across sub-Saharan Africa to develop solutions to help at least 500 000 learners through digital solutions.

“Here the tool is called Teach From Everywhere to help learners and teachers access digital platforms to give 25 000 educators free online training sessions and resources,” added Mokoena.

An additional R8.3-million grant is going to Youth Employment Services to provide twelve-month employment opportunities and digital skills to young black people in South Africa.