Google translates tools to Swahili for East Africans

Swahili-speaking East Africans can now utilise some of Google's web tools after the search engine giant unveiled localised versions of its web-based email platform and internet browsers in the local langauge, to celebrate the East African Community Common Market that started on 1 July 2010.

By Walter Wafula

6 Jul 2010

Google translates tools to Swahili for East Africans

Google's products including; Gmail, Google Maps and Google Chrome can all be surfed in Swahili which is widely spoken in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

EAC Common Market

The company's announcement coincided with the commencement of the EAC Common Market, a significant milestone for an estimated 126 million people of the region, which will create new opportunities for the free movement of capital, goods, services and persons across East Africa.

In a statement, Joe Mucheru, Google lead for sub-Saharan Africa, said; "The internet offers so many opportunities, and we want to make the internet more relevant and useful to East Africans. Being able to use products like Chrome, Gmail and Maps in Swahili means that our users will now have a much better experience of the web in their day-to-day lives. And this is just the beginning."

Foster intergration

In Nairobi, Dr Leonard Chacha Mwita, chairman of the Kiswahili and African Languages Department at Kenyatta University said; "Such locally-relevant web tools will no doubt foster integration by enabling East Africans to communicate, learn and work together with greater ease."

Walter Wafula

About Walter Wafula

Walter Wafula is a seasoned journalist who has reported for the Daily Monitor newspaper in Kampala-Uganda. He is also a contributor on Bizcommunity.com website. Email Walter at moc.oohay@tlawfaw and connect on LinkedIn.