OVER 10,000 Nigerian bank branches, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs); Point of Sales (PoS) and businesses are now on Google Maps.
According to search engine giant, Google, more Nigerian businesses now consider map listing as a mandatory business strategy.
Google Nigeria Country Manager, Juliet Ehimuan said in the last quarter of 2012 alone, 14 banks in Nigeria took their branches and ATMs locations closer to Nigerians by listing them on Google Maps.
He said about 10,000 bank branches; ATMs and POS outlet locations were already on Google Maps. Among the maps on the map are: Access Bank, Diamond Bank, Ecobank, Enterprise Bank, Fidelity Bank, First Bank, GTBank, Keystone Bank, Mainstreet Bank, Skye Bank, Sterling Bank, UBA, Union Bank and Wema Bank.
Ehimuan, who said research, indicated that mapping was creating jobs and driving global economic growth, noted that 20 years ago, “we used paper maps and printed guides to help us navigate the world.
“Today, the most advanced digital mapping technologies—satellite imagery, GPS devices, location data and of course Google Maps—are much more accessible. This increase and growth in mapping technology is improving lives and helping businesses in Nigeria realize untold efficiencies,” he said.
According to her, with Google maps, irrespective of location, anyone in or outside Nigeria can find and locate a bank, ATM or POS location in cities within Nigeria. She said a simple search for banks in Nigeria will present a results that would help everyone find a bank easily and because Google Maps can be used on mobile devices, a search can be done while on the move.
“The implication of this is an increased potential for additional business will be huge via the billions of people around the world using Google Maps. Apart from the banks, other Nigerian businesses using Google maps to reach their customers easier include Forte Oil, Chicken Republic, Mr. Biggs, Etisalat and a number of others”, Ehimuan said.
She said that the global digital mapping industry was being valued at $270 billion per year and pays out $90 billion in wages, “while we don’t have exact figures for Nigeria, it employs more than 500,000 people and is worth $73 billion in the US alone.
“Because maps are such an integral part of how we live and do business, the list of examples goes on and on. That’s why it’s important we all understand the need to invest in the geo services industry so it continues to grow and drive the global economy. Investments can come from the public and private sectors in many forms—product innovation, support of open data policies, more geography education programs in schools and more.
“We’re proud to see that the contributions being made by our team is helping to drive economic growth In Nigeria, but there’s a long way to go”, she stated.