Android Market paid Apps now accessible to 26 African countries

Google recently announced that more smartphone users on the Android platform in some 99 countries now have access to paid apps in their official apps store, Android Market. The newly-added countries include 26 African countries including South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria. The Android users in this category had hitherto been restricted to free apps only, from the Android Market.

From the official press release:

Google Nexus S is Google's flagship smartphone on the Android platform
Google Nexus S is Google's flagship smartphone on the Android platform

Today Google announced that Android Market will increase consumer access and developer support for paid applications in several new countries. From today, consumers from 99 new countries – including 26 African countries – will be able to purchase apps from Android Market. This latest expansion of Android Market means more applications – including games, social, and productivity apps – for consumers and more selling opportunities for developers in more countries.

Over the next few days, the number of countries where Android users can purchase priced apps will increase to 131 including the addition of South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria. Consumers from these newly supported countries will have access to over 200,000 free and paid apps in Android Market, which they can access directly from their Android-powered device.

Android Market was launched to help developers distribute mobile applications on a level playing field, while enabling users to find and download apps which leverage the unique capabilities of the Android platform. Today, we’re pleased to announce the expansion of Android Market’s offerings in these additional countries to deliver more apps for more people.

At the time of blogging, residents of Ghana are still restricted from rival BlackBerry’s Appworld.

The Android OS is used on smartphones, netbooks and tablets, including the Dell Streak, Samsung Galaxy Tab, TV and other devices. It is presently the world’s best-selling Smartphone platform. Android Market is the online app store run by Google, though apps can also be downloaded from third-party sites.

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Oluniyi D. Ajao
Oluniyi D. Ajao is an Internet Entrepreneur and Tech Enthusiast based in South Africa. Follow him on twitter @niyyie for more tech updates.

5 Comments

  1. Good news to hear but Smartphones are just too costly for the averaged Ghanaian and buying these apps with credit card is another also another issue in this part of the world. How many Ghanaians even have a credit card and if they do, they don’t how to even use it.

    Now waiting for Paypal to be accepted in Ghana and Nigeria too. When?

    Very pitiful but as time goes on, things might adjust by themselves..Hope so!!!!!!!

  2. Good development. Today, I made an inquiry to know how possible to subscribe for someone on a mobile data bundle for either MTN or Airtel on Sony Ericsson Xperia arc phone. Please do you know if any of them has data support for Android phone like mentioned above in Nigeria? Thank you.

  3. @ MUSTAPHA HOW CAN YOU HAVE A CREDIT CARD….THE THE ADDRESS SYTEM YOU HAVE IS A P.O.BOX. NO ONE LIVES IN A P O BOX SO THE BANKS WONT GIVE U A CREDIT CARD. TELL YOUR GOVERNMENTS TO SCRAP P O BOX FOR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

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