Microsoft Corporation has introduced the Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative, a new effort through which the company will actively engage in Africa’s economic development to improve its global competitiveness.
In Nigeria, the company is investing some N12 billion while it plans to help place tens of millions of smart devices in the hands of African youth by 2016 as well as bring 1 million African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) online.
Microsoft 4Afrika Initiative also plans to up-skill 100,000 members of Africa’s existing workforce, and help an additional 100,000 recent graduates develop skills for employability, 75 percent of which Microsoft will help place in jobs.
Speaking during the commemoration of the company’s stewardship in Africa, Mr. Emmanuel Onyeje, country manager, Microsoft Nigeria, said the efforts focus on accelerating adoption of smart devices, empowering small and medium businesses, and up-leveling skills development to ignite African innovation for the Continent and for the world.
Onyeje said: “Microsoft wants to invest in that promise which recognises Africa’s promise. We want to empower African youths, entrepreneurs, developers and business and civic leaders to turn great ideas into reality that can help community, their country, the Continent and beyond.
“The Initiative is built on the dual beliefs that technology can accelerate growth for Africa, and Africa can also accelerate technology for the world”.
The country manager said that Microsoft was motivated to embark on the projects as part of its contributions to Africa’s transformation initiatives.
He also announced that Microsoft has developed a new online hub through which Africa SMEs will have access to free, relevant products and services from Microsoft and other partners.
“The hub will aggregate the available services which can help them expand their business locally, find new business opportunities outside their immediate geography and help increase their overall competitiveness,” he added.
As a welcome offer, he said that the Company will provide free domain registration for the period of one year and free tools for qualifying SMEs interested in creating a professional web presence.