Africa is the largest growing continent and just like China has been an extremely important market for many companies, so too will many developing African countries. Apple would love to be the market leader there and any headstart they can get will pay dividends in the future.

But Apple products are generally extremely expensive ( usually at least multiples of the cheapest equivalents), and that kind of thing doesn't sell well in underdeveloped developing nations, which cover most of Africa. Just look at median income and GDP PPP in China, and any African country. The mere fact that China is actively (kindof) neocolonising multiple different African countries should be telling as well.

No-one said that Apple directs all (or even most, or even just a significant proportion) of their mapping efforts there. Should they ignore a continent?

It makes sense to commoditize their complement.

Diversity and inclusion?