At an event Wednesday, Google launched new features that will state routes on its map in Nigerian accents. The California-based tech firm also increased the detail on its maps to include motor cycle and danfo routes as well as sign posts.
This is the first time the firm is opening the service in the continent. Google is taking advantage of rapid population growth in Nigeria and other African countries, to expand is offerings.
“We’re going market by market based on popularity,” Ramesh Nagarajan, Google’s product development manager said.
He added that there are 10 million (motorcycles) in Nigeria, it’s hugely popular.
The company partnered with indigenous start-up Road Preppers, to build data used for the development of the service. The map will provide info that will tell users the most preferable options available based on traffic, weather and road conditions. The map will contain features such as the expected fare, travel time and photos of the bus stops in order to help guide commuters. Reuters reports that Google is expanding street view imagery to Abuja, Benin City, Enugu and Ibadan.
“What we’re really hoping is for people who might be making a trip to an unfamiliar town, maybe a journey they don’t usually take, to be able to discover the info they need to make that journey,” Jeff Albertson, a Google senior product manager said.
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