Google dangles $2M grant for African impact challenge

GOOGLE is to commit $2m worth of grant funding to nonprofit Organisations in Nigeria through its First African Impact challenge, which will see funding awarded to nonprofit organizations that are innovating using technology to reach their goals.

Affiong Osuchukwu , Google country marketing manager said, “This is the first time we are running a Google Impact Challenge in Africa.

“Many African nonprofits are doing great work with real impact and we’re keen to shine a light on them, and give a financial boost to innovative projects and ideas.

“We believe technology can help local and national organisations to better reach their goals and solve some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, and we are eager to back people who are using technology in new ways to make a positive difference in their communities.

“We also want to highlight the healthy state of social enterprise in Nigeria today, and encourage nonprofits to consider how technology can help them reach their goals,” Osuchukwu said.

She also issued an open call to nonprofit organisations in Nigeria to apply to receive their share of $2m in funding, adding that four non-profits in Nigeria stand to win $250 000 each while 8 runners up will each get $125 000.

Osuchukwu explained that, “Winners will be decided by a panel of local judges and a public vote.