Microsoft Continues to Create Digital Opportunities in Nigeria

Emmanuel Onyeje, the general manager of Microsoft Nigeria at a reception for trade partners in Lagos recently has outlined the company’s commitments to help close the digital divide by creating new products and programs that will help bring social and economic opportunity to many Nigerians that are not yet realizing the benefits of technology. He said that Microsoft is working closely with both public and private sector organizations in Nigeria to provide relevant, accessible and affordable technology to the country’s under-served communities through its Unlimited Potential initiative.
“Microsoft Unlimited Potential aligns our philanthropic and business investments behind the most pressing issues for a more competitive Nigeria,” said Onyeje. “We are focused on developing innovative new business models and partnerships in Nigeria that will transform education, foster local innovation and enable jobs and opportunities across the country.”
The reception which was attended by over 40 Nigerian computer refurbishers and distributors was also an opportunity to launch a pilot for the Microsoft Secondary PC program.   Designed to foster vibrant local markets around the refurbishment and sale of used computers, Microsoft’s program will expand the affordable and safe channels through which individuals, local businesses, training centres and schools in Nigeria can obtain high-quality PCs to give them access to technology required for development. 
At the reception, Onyeje was joined by Ali Hoballah, the Middle East and Africa regional general manager for the Microsoft Unlimited Potential Group who threw more light on the expected benefits from the Secondary PC Program.   
By participating in the program, Microsoft says  local refurbishers can grow their business selling a reliable, affordable PC solution to new customers that include genuine Microsoft software, access to software updates and downloads, a six-month warranty, after-sales support and a recycling option for the PCs when they reach the end of their useful life.
With twelve local Secondary PC partnerships already in place that include the Grace Fountain Limited, CE Broker, J.T. Canada, Blue Stream Systems, Ally Saint John, Olive Joy Ventures, Consumer Electronics, Corporate Merchants, Crystal Link Computers, F.J. Fredo, Mega Source Network and Ibe Technologies, the refurbished PCs will be available to customers across Nigeria for prices starting at NGN25,000. 
“Secondary PCs offer a proven entry point for individuals and small businesses to harness the benefits of technology and develop valuable skills for work and life that can help stimulate social and economic opportunity in their communities,” commented Hoballah.
In addition to the Secondary PC pilot in Nigeria, Microsoft offers a range of Unlimited Potential programs in partnership with local organizations that provide ICT resources and skills training to underserved communities. For example, Microsoft has supported free Internet access for rural communities through the Fantsuam Foundation in Kaduna State, provided digital literacy training for unemployed women at the Professor Iya Abubakar Community Resource Centre in Bauchi and developed a successful “train the trainer” program with SchoolNet Nigeria to introduce ICT tools for education among primary and secondary school teachers.
Microsoft will continue its efforts in Nigeria in order to help meet the goal set by the Unlimited Potential initiative – to reach the next 1 billion people worldwide who are not yet realizing the benefits of technology by 2015.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.