A creative space to bring new ideas to life, Microsoft opens The Garage in Africa

A creative space to bring new ideas to life, Microsoft opens The Garage in Africa

In November last year, we hinted that Microsoft was bringing The Garage program to Africa. Months on the company is officially launching the innovation hub and creative space to engage with the broader academic, start-up and local tech ecosystem to develop and bring new impactful ideas to life. Microsoft The Garage Africa is co-located with the ultra-modern Africa Development Center software engineering offices in Lagos and Nairobi.

Microsoft The Garage Africa

The program is primarily an extracurricular resource for Microsoft employees to connect, experiment and be creative outside of their day job. However, Microsoft will open the creative space for hacking and making to the local tech ecosystem and Microsoft customers to use technology to solve a wide range of societal and business challenges. Through hackathons, engineering internships, and an experimental outlet for students and tech communities, says Linda Thackery, Sr. Director The Garage EMEA. Who was also at the ADC office sites launch events to concurrently launch the program. The launch of the Africa sites means there are now 14 Garage sites across the globe.

Welcome Garage Africa to the Garage family! Can’t wait to see the amazingly awesome innovation to come.

Linda Thackery

The creative space has three dedicated lab sections and fosters collaboration, innovation and a growth mindset. The lab section consists of a collaboration hub for hackathons and workshops, a Makerspace and an Advanced Makerspace. The advanced Makerspace has an electronic workbench, 3D Printers, laser cutter, PCB milling machine for creating prototypes. A Reality Room dedicated to working in the space of Augmented Reality (AR) Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality applications and dedicated space and equipment for doing work on Deep Learning.

We need a place for people to feel confident to take creative liberties, and that place is The Garage.

Jeff Ramos, general manager of The Garage
The Garage East Africa

Microsoft The Garage East Africa

In Kenya it will help Microsoft employees, customers and developers tap into their creative prowess, notes Lydia Karanja, Lead of The Garage East Africa. She says The Garage is structured as a freeform workspace where Microsoft employees, interns, schools, and community groups can find the tools and training they need to launch products and learn skills.

The Garage is meant to spread the values of openness and collaboration throughout the Microsoft ADC. Where people come to The Garage to work with interdisciplinary teams on passion projects that sometimes make their way into Microsoft products. This should ultimately allow Microsoft ADC to become a more prominent shaper of Africa’s tech culture.” 

Lydia Karanja, Microsoft Garage Lead- East Africa

The program initiative comes from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s drive to encourage employees to be creative, entrepreneurial and open-minded. It also takes inspiration from many global technology companies that started in the garage. The likes of Microsoft, Amazon, Apple, Google and Hewlett-Packard to name a few. Through the Garage, employee projects have gone on to become full Microsoft branded products or features. Notable ones are Kaizala, Microsoft launcher, Seeing AI, FarmBeats, Mouse without Borders and the Xbox Adaptive Controller.

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Microsoft unveils new office facility for software engineers in Nigeria

Microsoft unveils new office facility for software engineers in Nigeria

Microsoft is announcing the official opening of its new office facility located at 24 Glover Rd, Ikoyi, Lagos in Nigeria. The new office facility will house its Africa Development Center (ADC West Africa) software engineers and will be co-located with the newly launched Microsoft The Garage.

Initially launched in May 2019, the Microsoft ADC West Africa software engineering team have been working from the Microsoft Nigeria offices. They will now officially work from six floors out of the 14 storey Kings Tower building. The new ultra-modern office space according to ADC Managing Director, Gafar Lawal, cost Microsoft not less than $70 million. The facility has working space for software engineers and other Microsoft staff, conference spaces, a nursery and an innovation hub.

Microsoft office Nigeria

Microsoft says the facility will host various activities aimed at growing tech talent in the continent. As well as play a strategic role in nurturing innovation and helping startups to scale.

Present to mark the launch event of the new Microsoft office facility in Nigeria was Joy Chik, Microsoft Corporate Vice President, Identity Division and Executive Sponsor of the Africa Development Center. Who noted the ADC was the natural next idea when Microsoft realised that Africa is the next frontier for global technology expansion.

The ADC West Africa software engineering team develops Microsoft Azure services that power new Augmented Reality experiences for Microsoft’s mixed-reality platform. Contributing to building Microsoft Azure’s Spatial Anchors and Mesh platform solutions.

microsoft adc offfice lagos nigeria

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Futurize launches university Innovation challenge in partnership with Microsoft, AstraZeneca

Futurize launches university Innovation challenge in partnership with Microsoft, AstraZeneca

Futurize is launching its first annual Fuel Africa Innovation Program from March 17 to 25, 2022. In partnership with AstraZeneca, through the A.Catalyst Network, and Microsoft and co-funded by Bristol Myers Squibb and Famfa Oil. To equip young entrepreneurs with the resources to build high-potential venture ideas and contribute to sustainable development globally.

Futurize Fuel Africa Innovation Program 2022

Fuel Africa 2022 will bring together students and alumni of 12 universities across 7 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to address some of the continent’s most pressing challenges in healthcare. Through a virtual entrepreneurship bootcamp and innovation hackathon competition.

Coding or healthcare experiences are not a requirement to participate in the program. Participants will receive mentorship and hands-on training to build solutions for early-stage business ventures. It is currently focusing on solutions that provide access to healthcare as well as the screening, early diagnosis and optimal management of Non-Communicable Diseases. Winners will get investment money and opportunities to advance their careers.

Participating universities include Amref International University (AMIU), African Leadership University (ALU), Covenant University, JFN Institute of Technology, Obafemi Awolowo University, University of Ibadan, University of Ghana, University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, University of Capetown, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and the University of Nairobi.

Microsoft, through the Africa Transformation Office, is committed to supporting education transformation across Africa with access to learning tools, resources and technology. We look forward to seeing what innovative solutions to pressing concerns these bright minds will develop during the program.”

Yacine Barro Bourgault, Enablement Lead, Africa Transformation Office at Microsoft.

Click to learn more about the Futurize Fuel Africa 2022 Health Innovation challenge and how to participate.

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Microsoft hosts Africa-Canada DigiGirlz Virtual Camp to mark International Women’s Day

Microsoft hosts Africa-Canada DigiGirlz Virtual Camp to mark International Women’s Day

Microsoft is hosting the first International DigiGirlz Camp dubbed 2022 Africa-Canada Microsoft DigiGirlz Virtual Camp. It will bring girls from Africa and North America together as part of events planned to mark year’s International Women’s Day on March 8. The three-day Africa-Canada DigiGirlz digital camp for girls in science targets junior to high school girls between the ages of 11 to 17 years. It aims to introduce and inspire them to careers in science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Africa-Canada DigiGirlz Microsoft girls camp

The theme for the 2022 Africa-Canada Microsoft DigiGirlz Virtual Camp is “lifelong learning”. The digital camp is entirely virtual and will take place between March 7th and 10th. For 2-hour workshops at 4 PM GMT, 7 PM EAT, 8 AM PT, 11 AM ET daily. It will provide an opportunity for the girls from Africa and North America to connect.  

Microsoft is organizing the first International DigiGirlz Camp in partnership with Fair Chance Learning. The program will give girls hands-on experience with technology. Through workshops to help them bring their ideas to life as well as opportunities for cross-cultural collaboration and networking.

The youth who grasp today’s tech will change tomorrow’s world“, notes Wanjira Kamwere, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office’s Business Development Manager, when announcing the program.

Right now, women lack a clear pathway to technological experience and resources. At Microsoft DigiGirlz, we’re helping girls across the globe—and especially those in under-represented communities—learn the skills they need to realize their passions in a tech-filled future“.

The camp is open to girls of all skill levels. It provides hands-on workshops that are led by supportive instructors who can help you increase your abilities. For girls who may have already taken technology classes in school, the camp workshops will provide you with quick exposure to new technologies to help enhance your knowledge.”

Wanjira Kamwere, Business Development Manager, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office

Microsoft says enrolment of students is on a first-come, first-served basis. Event content and curriculum are for specific age groups. So applicants are to check the target audience before enrolling a student in a DigiGirlz program.  Teachers and educators can also enrol their students as a group.

The DigiGirlz registration form must be completed by an adult aged 18 or older. The parent or legal guardian of attendees under the age of 18 may complete the registration form to register the student for a DigiGirlz program.

Wanjira Kamwere explains that Microsoft DigiGirlz events are to provide a gender-specific approach to introducing girls to career opportunities in technology. In a safe setting that is attuned to addressing specific biases and challenges that might impact their experience. However, event participation is open to anyone, regardless of gender identity, who aligns with the mission to provide an environment that encourages girls’ participation in technology. 

Microsoft notes that mentorship programs such as the DigiGirlz can help encourage women to pursue these careers.

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Microsoft halts new sales of products and services in Russia

Microsoft halts new sales of products and services in Russia

Microsoft is suspending all new sales of its products and services in Russia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This is after the company said it was providing technical advice to the Ukrainian government on steps to prevent destructive malware operations it had identified in systems belonging to multiple Ukrainian government agencies and organizations.

Microsoft President and Vice-Chair, Brad Smith, noted the company will continue to mobilize resources to help the people in Ukraine. It is taking steps to avoid the spread of disinformation and promote instead independent and trusted content. As well as matching employee contributions and providing technology support to first responders to provide help.

Microsoft’s announcement comes after Apple and Google also took actions in response to the Russian invasion. Apple stopped all exports into the sales channel in the country and is limiting Apple Pay and other services. Google, Snapchat and Twitter are all pausing ads and blocking monetizing of content.

Here is the full statement about suspension in Russia

Like the rest of the world, we are horrified, angered and saddened by the images and news coming from the war in Ukraine and condemn this unjustified, unprovoked and unlawful invasion by Russia.

We are announcing today that we will suspend all new sales of Microsoft products and services in Russia.

In addition, we are coordinating closely and working in lockstep with the governments of the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, and we are stopping many aspects of our business in Russia in compliance with governmental sanctions decisions.

Our single most impactful area of work almost certainly is the protection of Ukraine’s cybersecurity. We continue to work proactively to help cybersecurity officials in Ukraine defend against Russian attacks, including most recently a cyberattack against a major Ukrainian broadcaster.

Since the war began, we have acted against Russian positioning, destructive or disruptive measures against more than 20 Ukrainian government, IT and financial sector organizations. We have also acted against cyberattacks targeting several additional civilian sites. We have publicly raised our concerns that these attacks against civilians violate the Geneva Convention.

We are also continuing to mobilize our resources to help the people in Ukraine. Our Microsoft Philanthropies and UN Affairs teams are working closely with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and multiple UN agencies to help refugees by providing technology and financial support for key NGOs and, where needed, we are defending these groups from ongoing cyberattacks.

As a company, we are committed to the safety of our employees in Ukraine and we are in constant contact with them to offer support in many forms, including those who have needed to flee for their lives or safety.

Like so many others, we stand with Ukraine in calling for the restoration of peace, respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the protection of its people.

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Microsoft partners with tech hubs to fast-track investment in Africa’s startup ecosystem

Microsoft partners with tech hubs to fast-track investment in Africa’s startup ecosystem

Microsoft wants to accelerate the growth of startups in Africa and fast-track investment in Africa’s startup ecosystem. By providing support to 10,000 startups over the next five years to enable them grow. A new partnership with accelerators, tech hubs and incubators across Africa including Grindstone, Greenhouse, FlapMax and Seedstars will seek to provide startups with access to markets, technical skills, and funding opportunities.

Through the intiative, startups will get access to technology, skilling programs and an opportunity to co-sell with Microsoft. They will also get support from Microsoft engineering and product teams for co-innovation opportunities.  

Africa’s startup ecosystem Microsoft

Microsoft believes the vibrant African startup market is well placed to become a cornerstone of the continent’s digital economy. However it represents less than one percent of total investments worldwide. Wael Elkabbany, Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office, points out, this needs to change.

Investments into Africa’s startup ecosystem are growing at an exciting pace. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), there are more than 640 active tech hubs across Africa, accelerating innovation and creating employment, particularly among the youth.”

Wael Elkabbany

Microsoft will also partner with key B2B-focused start-ups, scaleups, “soonicorns” and unicorns across a range of leading African industries. As well as startups concentrating on developing solutions for SMEs. Microsoft will tailor each partnership based on the needs of a startup says Gerald Maithya, Startups Lead, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office.

We understand that each start-up is unique and exists beyond the limitations of a one-size-fits-all partnership model. Therefore Microsoft will tailor each partnership to the needs of individual start-ups, providing support and access. – Whether to technology, markets and co-sell opportunities, funding or digital skills. – To enable them to grow and contribute to the wider economic growth of Africa,”

Gerald Maithya

Microsoft is also partnering with venture capital investors to facilitate access to $500 million in potential funding and has launched the Startups Founders Hub in Africa. Through the Africa Transformation Office, Microsoft will enable digital transformation powered by Africans for Africa.

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