Emma Okonji
Google’s recent survey report conducted by Alpha Beta research group on the economic impact of geospatial services in Nigeria, revealed that digital geospatial tools like maps are making positive economic contributions around the globe to employment, emergency response and time management.
The Economic Impact of Geospatial Services report showed that digital maps reduce travel time in Nigeria by an average of 8 per cent, saving some ₦190 billion ($748 million), based on local wages.
Nigerians value digital maps at ₦22,131.00 per year – translating into ₦1781 billion per year for all users.
According to the report, about 86 per cent of the online population in Nigeria use digital maps and geo-enabled apps for various reasons but, most especially for education and social networking. The report also revealed that geospatial services could have a significant productivity impact in sectors that can grow the Gross Domestic Product in the country.
At the launch of the report in Abuja, recently, Google also shared its journey of Maps in Nigeria. The company has worked with Nigerians since 2012 to add thousands of roads, landmarks, and businesses throughout the country to maps. In 2013, Google introduced Turn-by-Turn navigation in Nigeria for users using Google Maps for mobile. In 2014 Real Time Transit information on the LAGBUS was launched to help people in Lagos access bus times on BRT routes. In 2015 real-time traffic updates was introduced, as a way to help people better navigate busy traffic conditions. In July, 2017 Google announced the launch of Street View in Nigeria making imagery of about 10,000 kilometres of roads in Lagos available to people in Nigeria and around the world.
Speaking at the launch, Google Policy and Government Relations Manager, Titi Akinsanmi, said: “We worked with AlphaBeta to support a study that quantifies the economic impact of the geospatial technology, looking at the benefits and value geospatial technology brings to consumers, businesses and society.
“Digital Maps have become powerful tools for policymakers to ensure the safety of their citizens, and for companies and consumers to save time and money when managing their daily affairs. And their benefits are far bigger than people may think. We discovered that geospatial services not only make life easier by helping people turn their intentions of finding a place into actions of getting there, but also support the global economy by creating tangible benefits for businesses and consumers,†she said.
Each month, more than 1 billion people use Google Maps to find, discover and explore their world. Nearly one third of all mobile searches are related to location, and location-related mobile searches are growing by 50 per cent faster than all mobile searches, according to Google.
