Nigerian app developers earned US$13 million from the Android app economy in 2023, according to a report commissioned by Google.
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The report “The Digital Opportunity of Nigeria,” conducted by global research firm Public first, revealed that the Andriod developer ecosystem supported over 24,500 jobs in Nigeria in the year under review.
According to the report, the Nigerian developers earned 1.86 percent of the estimated US$700 million earned by developer in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa boast of over 50,000 developers each.
Sub-Sahara Africa’s growing and youthful developer community ensures that it has a rich pipeline of developers, standing at over 500,000.
The Google report published on Thursday indicated that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could add $15 billion to the Nigerian economy by 2030.
Mr. Olumide Balogun, Google’s Director for West Africa, shared this information during the Economic Impact Report Press Roundtable held in Lagos. He stated that achieving the projections outlined in Public First’s Digital Opportunity of Nigeria Report would rely heavily on Google’s commitment to responsible AI development.
Balogun noted that in 2023, Google’s products and services—including Search, Ads, YouTube, and Cloud—generated an estimated $1.8 billion in economic activity across Nigeria. This contribution significantly enhanced the productivity of Nigerian businesses, creators, and workers.
The report highlighted Google’s digital skills initiatives, such as Digital Skills for Africa and the Career Certificates Programme, which have benefitted millions of Nigerians. “In 2023 alone, over 1.5 million young adults acquired new digital skills,” he said.
Many of these developers are driving the success of the continent’s leading tech startups, including Flutterwave, Chipper, and Paystack. Olumide Balogun, West Africa Director, Google, noted that this rich pipeline of developers is crucial for building more successful businesses.
As Nigeria continues to experience rapid digital growth, the report emphasizes the potential for further development.
Android is particularly important in Nigeria because most Nigerians access the internet through a mobile device powered by Android.
An Android Developer is a software developer who specializes in designing applications for android operating systems.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
