Google extends Maps to 29 Sub Saharan Africa countries

The Google Africa team has extended its Google Maps application to 29 other countries on the continent following the successful introduction of the application in South Africa and Kenya last year.
Uganda is one of the new 29 African countries where the application has been launched.
“This is a very exciting pan-African launch and we are delighted to be improving our maps functionality for Africa, helping to make information about the continent readily available,” Joe Mucheru, Google’s Regional Lead, sub Saharan Africa said.
Right now, new detailed maps of especially the major cities and towns in the 29 countries are accessible on Google Maps through any web browser or via Google Maps for mobile on data enabled handsets.
“We have seen huge interest in the product and we are collecting some interesting feedback from the users,” Rachel Payne, the country manager, Google Uganda said in an email response.
Mucheru said Google Maps isn't just searchable digitized maps helping one to find a local place, service or product, but rather it is about making information with a geographical dimension available to everyone and allowing users to update the maps and develop on top of them.
“We believe that more accurate, representative local information can greatly improve the breadth of information available about a given area and in turn can help efforts to bolster tourism and business investment in Africa," Mucheru said.
Payne said users will now be able to search up to date online maps, look up businesses, advertise for free via Google Maps local business centre, create their own maps and check locations while they are on the move.
She said Google Maps combines maps, local business search, satellite imagery, street-level search, in one unified service. In addition, Maps provide satellite imagery for the entire world at varying levels of resolution.
Payne said the service helps people find business locations and contact information all in one location, integrated on the map.
“For example, if you search for "hotel in Kampala", locations of relevant listings and phone numbers appear on the map,” Payne said. “You can also view additional information such as opening hours, types of payment accepted, and reviews. With the Local Business Centre, businesses can add their listings for free.”
Payne said the launch of the application across 29 countries followed earlier launches of Google Maps in Kenya and South Africa, as well as Google Street View in South Africa alone.
“Building on the launch of Google Earth Outreach Africa and our Google Maps training sessions....., this is a sign of progress in localising our geo products, and of further exciting things ahead,” Payne said.
“We want to show that the Internet is not just a place to find and consume information, but a place for Africans to create and contribute their own.”
The maps will offer users information on streets, addresses and local businesses and services will now be accessible via a users’ mobile phone when they are on the road or in places a user may not know. Google Maps for mobile can be downloaded for free at m.google.com/maps.
With the maps tool, users will be able to access detailed maps of a total of 32 African countries (including South Africa and Kenya where Maps is already available) and other parts of the world whilst on the go.
The application should be a hit in sub Sahara Africa in countries where the major cities and towns are crowded.
Companies can enter for free information about their business, including their address, hours of operation, phone number and photo. They can also place advertisements on Google Maps even if they don't have their own website.
Users have the option to make searches for companies with similar business in a neighbourhood, both via PC or mobile phone - and then they can access provided links and contact details to the respective services.