Microsoft Picks Awosika, Nigerian to Head Kenya Office

Microsoft has appointed a Nigerian to head its Kenyan office that was elevated to an independent office.

The software giant has appointed Kunle Awosika as the Kenya country manager following the review of Microsoft’s Africa organisation structure in February.

Microsoft split its East and Southern Africa office into three to include Microsoft Angola (Mozambique and Angola), Microsoft Kenya and Microsoft East and Southern Africa, which will handle 12 countries like Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and South Sudan.

This signaled Microsoft’s increased focus on Kenya as a key market given its head will only concentrate on one market.

“Awosika will steer the business to the next phase of expansion as Microsoft’s global focus shifts to devices and services,” noted Microsoft in a statement on Monday.

“Awosika’s role is in line with the recent restructuring of the Microsoft East and Southern Africa (ESA) region. The move will further enable the business to streamline its resources and strengthen its market share in Africa.”

Microsoft has been too focused on Window’s software over the past decade as hitherto smaller rivals like Apple was revolutionising computing through products like the iPhone.

Now, the firm is revamping its strategy to accelerate development of computing services and hardware, a move that saw it agreeing this month to buy Nokia’s  handset unit for $7.2 billion (Sh626 billion).

Awosika served in Kenya for six years to 2009 and his appointment is a departure from the trend where US-based tech giants are employing locals to steer their local units.

Google has Joe Mucheru as Kenya’s country executive while IBM this year tapped Nic Nesbitt, the co-founder of a local business process outsourcing firm, KenCall, to steer its East Africa operations.

The split of the tech giant Africa’s operations prompted a review of its regional executive suite where Louis Otieno, formerly general manager Microsoft East and Southern Africa, is now the regional director for business development and strategy Microsoft Africa.

Eric Odipo, previously head of Microsoft’s small and micro business unit in the region, will head the East and Southern African unit.

The review saw Microsoft make a U-turn after it absorbed Kenya into east, central and West Africa unit that was being run from Nairobi.