Technology Africa, organizers of Titans of Tech Award has recognized the Chief Executive Officer of Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Mr. Austin Kwesi Okere with the award ‘Technology Africa Personality of the Year 2012”.
The annual award recognizes those who are making true difference by their contributions either directly or indirectly in increasing African contents in ICT products and services in the emerging market.
Okere has contributed immensely to the growth of ICT in the country, especially in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Hardware, Software, Internet, IT Education, IT Security and Telecommunications, and was recognized in that capacity by Technology Africa.
In 2008, the Columbia Business School carried out an assessment on CWG where Okere was honored and invited to teach at the Columbia Business School in 2010. Recently, there was also an invitation from The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship), where he encouraged the investors, industrialists, academics and students with the amassing success story of the group.
His achievement has been replicated in various Entrepreneurship Development Centres and Business Schools in Nigeria, US, Tanzania, Kenya, among other countries. Presenting the award to Austin Okere, Senator Gbenga Obadara – Chairman – Senate committee on Privatization commended the outstanding job done by the him, in his words “ We are proud of you and you have indeed portrayed Nigeria’s image positively globally.
Austin Okere is the Managing Director/CEO of Computer Warehouse Group Limited, one of the fastest growing ICT companies in Africa.
He graduated from the University of Lagos in 1986 with B.Sc. (second upper division) in Computer Sciences, and also an Executive MBA from the International Graduate School of Management (IESE), Spain, after a preparatory period at the Lagos Business School, 1998.
He founded Computer Warehouse Group Limited in September, 1992. He has had 23 years industry experience, covering roles in Systems Analysis, Sales & Marketing, and Corporate Management, with 20 years as Founder and CEO of the Computer Warehouse Group Limited.
He was in 2010 named the “Most Outstanding ICT Personality of the Decade” by ICT Watch Africa. He had earlier in 2003 received the “IT Personality of the Year” Award by the Nigerian IT & Telecom Awards (NITTA), among many others.
His company, Computer Warehouse Group has grown over the years from just a computer hardware supply company to an integrated ICT Group consisting of three companies, Computer Warehouse Ltd, providing hardware and infrastructure solutions; DCC Networks Systems, providing communications and networking solutions, and ExpertEdge Software – systems applications and deployment. From an initial turnover of N1.3 million, it now has a turnover of about N16 billion and staff strength of about 550.
Mr Okere is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria and has served in many other professional bodies including Frontier 100 (Initiative for Global Development IGD), Nigeria-South Africa Chamber, Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Nigerian Computer Society (NCS).
His hobbies include tennis, swimming, reading, and watching movies.
Above all, motivating younger ones, and inspiring them to a fuller life. He is happily married with children
CWG has championed the course, braved the odds and is now the Legend of Technology in Africa.