Microsoft has created an independent subsidiary in Nigeria in recognition of the development of the market and the immense opportunities the country offers. This is an elevation of the Nigerian Office to handle its operations. Opportunity parameters included fast economic growth, the largest Gross Domestic Product in Africa, a new generation of entrepreneurs and a business-friendly government that is rapidly expanding Information and Communication Technology infrastructure.
Managing Director of Microsoft Nigeria, Kabelo Makwane said the “The company is set to redouble its efforts in skills development, innovation support and access provision for people across Africa and Nigeria in particular, growing the business and thus creating more economic opportunities,”
Microsoft has been operating in Africa for 22 years and in Nigeria for 14 years and has a current local partner ecosystem of 1,750 members across the country.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the Nigerian economy grew by 89 per cent to N80.3tn ($509.9bn) in 2014, making it the world’s 26th largest economy. These statistics highlight that Nigeria is a land of opportunity for business of all sizes, especially Small and Medium Enterprises that form 90 per cent of the businesses in the country.
Microsoft Nigeria mentioned its plans to reduce cost of data for SMEs that often don’t have the capital for Information Technology infrastructure investment and rapidly expand its cloud offerings.
Microsoft also said it had created 45 000 jobs, supported 300 start-ups, reached three million students through the Partners in Learning programme and seen 65 000 downloads of free Dream Spark developer tools.
According to Makwane, “ICT holds great transformational opportunity for Nigeria. Innovation will help the country leap from the industrial revolution to the information era”.
