Google has launched its first wi-fi network in Uganda's capital Kampala, as part of a project to broaden access to affordable high-speed internet.
The company is making the broadband wireless network available to local internet providers, who will then charge customers for access.
The web giant says the network is now live in 120 key locations in Kampala.
Official statistics show Uganda has about 8.5 million internet users, making up 23% of the population.
Google hopes that by improving internet capacity in the city, local telecom companies will then be able to offer faster, cheaper broadband access to their customers.Critics say it would have been better to focus on Uganda's rural areas, where high-speed internet access is very limited.There are now plans to expand the project to the Ghanaian cities of Accra, Tema and Kumasi.
In October, Facebook announced its own initiative to increase access to the internet in Africa by using satellites.
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