Senegal startups SunuBus and CoinAfrique recieve Microsoft support

Senegal startups SunuBus and CoinAfrique recieve Microsoft support

Microsoft supports two startups in Senegal, SunuBus(Weego) and CoinAfrique using technology to add value to people’s lives.

In the last six months Microsoft says through its 4Afrika arm it has supported over 300 startups across Africa. Giving them access to digital tools, resources and skills. Amongst these are 3 startups from Senegal; ADN Tech, SunuBus and CoinAfrique. ADN Tech being an earlier beneficiary.

Microsoft’s Partner and Startups strategy Lead 4Afrika, Muhammed Nabil says “Microsoft is here to support and help accelerate Senegal’s 2025 digital vision, which promotes ICT-driven development.
By partnering with these organisations, we’re bringing digital solutions to more industries and people. Investing in startup growth is also important to us, due to the significant role they play in job creation and using technology to help achieve sustainable development goals
.”

SunuBus and CoinAfrique are recent recipients of Microsoft’s technology and business support to scale up and grow. The partnership will see the startups use Microsoft’s cloud service Azure.
SunuBus(Weego) is a transit app that helps make public transportation travel easy. It allows users to find buses, monitor arrivals in real-time, and share their position to assist others and earn rewards.
CoinAfrique is a free classifieds platform for new and used products. Users make money selling unused items and also find bargains.

CoinAfrique’s founder, Matthias Papet says Microsoft has supported them in getting investment-ready for series B funding.

Microsoft 4Afrika has supported CoinAfrique in getting investment-ready for series B funding. Developing a data strategy for enhanced business insights and scaling up to reach our goal of becoming the number one francophone classifieds marketplace.” – Matthias Pape

Microsoft 4Afrika’s support helps startups access consumers, financing, information, skills and services and technology.

Microsoft 4Afrika backs Moroccan eGovernment solution Wraqi to facilitate eGovernance

Microsoft 4Afrika backs Moroccan eGovernment solution Wraqi to facilitate eGovernance

Casablanca, Morocco, 19 February 2019 – As technology transforms industries and organisations across Africa, government agencies in Morocco are increasingly taking advantage of ICT to reach national development goals. Local technology company, ALGO Consulting Group, has developed a solution to promote eGovernance – and Microsoft has thrown its full support behind its development.

Known as Wraqi, this online administration solution uses machine learning, the Internet of Things and blockchain to improve citizen-government relations. Powered by the Microsoft cloud, Wraqi allows users to create an account with a signature repository, which government entities can use to identify, authenticate and authorize citizens.
Any government service that used to require the physical presence of a citizen can now be carried out remotely using electronic signatures and multi-factor authentication, which is likely to accelerate but also facilitate access to services.

Microsoft’s partnership with ALGO began in 2006, and, in 2016, ALGO received a grant through the 4Afrika Initiative to develop Wraqi. 4Afrika’s support of the project has included technical guidance, business mentorship and capacity development, through programmes including MySkills4Afrika and Interns4Afrika. International Microsoft volunteers have supported ALGO in developing Wraqi on Azure, while interns have played a critical role in expanding Algo’s digital talent pipeline

We have dared innovation and disruption in the government space, sharing the dream of a socially responsible and technologically-advanced Morocco. With the support of Microsoft 4Afrika, we have benefited from access to technological tools, services in various fields such as training, communication, marketing and even the development of the business model. We encourage Moroccan and African startups to explore and take advantage of this programme,” says Tarik Fadli, Managing Director of ALGO Consulting Group.

Across Africa, Microsoft is promoting innovation in the eGovernment space, through a series of hackathons, AppFactory academies for developers, and startup / partner support. In December 2018, the company also hosted a Digital Government Summit in Rabat, showcasing solutions that enable governments to deliver new and improved citizen services at scale and make more data-driven decisions, while maintaining the highest levels of trust and compliance.

Armed with intelligent cloud technology, governments can do more and achieve more for the citizens they serve,” says Hicham Iraqi Houssaini, Country Manager for Microsoft French-Speaking Countries in Africa. “Wraqi is a fantastic solution that promotes both efficiency, accessibility and inclusivity. We believe in its ability to make life easier for citizens and enable governments to step away from outdated processes and costly paper-based methods. We look forward to continue supporting ALGO as they aim to scale Wraqi across Africa.”

Microsoft announce evolved multi-million dollar Equity Equivalent Investment Programme in South Africa

Microsoft announce evolved multi-million dollar Equity Equivalent Investment Programme in South Africa

Equity Equivalent Investment Programme to drive digital transformation and create economic empowerment in South Africa.

Equity Equivalent Investment Programme

Seven years on after launching the Microsoft Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP), the company evolves the programme. Microsoft announced the EEIP in 2011 where they committed 7 years to support black owned Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) helping them develop and expand.

The evolved Microsoft EEIP will now focus on investments in technology solutions in agriculture and digital transformation in the manufacturing sectors. It will also include funding of skills development of South Africa’s young software developers. Through multiple AppFactories hosted by strategic partners across the country.

According to Microsoft South Africa managing director, Lillian Barnardthese are two areas where government’s priority and Microsoft’s focus overlap. We are evolving the program to meet South Africa’s shifting social economic needs. As well as take advantage of the economic opportunities presented by public cloud and Microsoft datacenters (cloud services) now available in South Africa“.

As part of the Trade Ministry’s requirements for any multi national company operating in South Africa. Microsoft had to make a contribution towards the objectives of South Africa’s Trade and Industry Ministry Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) initiative. In 2011 Microsoft launched the Microsoft Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) as a means of supporting South Africa’s transformation imperatives. It was established to address the ownership element of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act and approved by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Microsoft’s Equity Equivalent Programme injects direct funding and business development assistance into several sustainable, independent and majority black-owned software companies in South Africa. The programme targets investments that promote socio-economic advancement and development within the South African economy.

Empowering Next Gen companies

Over the 7 years, Microsoft has identified and supported 8 independent software vendors. For Microsoft the evolved EEIP will drive innovation. Through access to technology solutions and digital transformation to help businesses in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors compete and be successful. Microsoft wants to create experienced and employable young software developers to take advantage of the 4th Industrial Revolution and contribute towards the economic growth of South Africa.

Beneficiary ceo’s from Chillisoft, Maxxor, mmapro IT Solutions, Home Grown and iSOLV Technologies talk about the Microsoft EE program.

Home Grown – Microsoft Equity Equivalent Investment Programme recipient.

It has made a massive difference to our capabilities as a busines.
Our status as a Microsoft Equity Equivalent Programme partner gives us a great deal of credibility.

One such early beneficiary of the Microsoft Equity Equivalent Programme is Home Grown. Home Grown is a utility management service provider. Developing solutions for the mobile cellular industry with a focus on the energy sector.
The smart utility management platform uses Microsoft’s cloud technology Azure to forecast electricity demand in real time. It also incorporates external data such as weather measurement and GPS coordination to assist in more effective resource distribution and management.

Then a startup in Kwazulu Natal, Home Grown’s CEO Thaisi Shale, was looking for a way to break into the bigger South African market.

In 2011 Microsoft confirmed that Home Grown had been formally identified as an Equity Equivalent Programme partner. Securing the business long term financial and strategic assistance from one of the globe’s largest technology pioneers.

Home Grown’s status as a Microsoft Equity Equivalent Programme partner has afforded us the opportunity to solidify our internal resources. Since the announcement we have been able to take on valuable staff in marketing, administration and development. It has made a massive difference to our capabilities as a busines.

Our status as a Microsoft Equity Equivalent Programme partner gives us a great deal of credibility. Microsoft’s input from a strategic perspective has been invaluable. We believe that with their continued assistance we can competitively introduce our solutions to a global market.” –
Thaisi Shale, CEO Home Grown

Microsoft’s Africa datacenters go live in South Africa

Microsoft’s Africa datacenters go live in South Africa

Africa Datacenters

Microsoft Announces Africa Datacenters are available. Its Africa Cloud Regions are live.

Today, Microsoft announced its Africa datacenters are live. The two Datacenters located in South Africa will bring Microsoft’s total available and announced cloud regions to 54.
Microsoft says the datacenters will begin to generally offer Azure service followed by office 365 and Dynamics 365 services in the near future.

“Azure is the first of Microsoft’s intelligent cloud services to be delivered from the new datacenters in South Africa. Office 365, Microsoft’s cloud-based productivity solution, is anticipated to be available by the third quarter of calendar year 2019, while Dynamics 365, the next generation of intelligent business applications, is anticipated in the fourth quarter”.

The two regions, South Africa North and South Africa West are located in Johannesburg and Cape Town respectively.

Azure is the first of Microsoft’s intelligent cloud services to be available from the new Microsoft cloud datacenters in Africa. And will be followed in the future by Microsoft’s cloud-based productivity solution, Office 365, and Dynamics 365, the next generation of intelligent business applications.”

Announced first in May 2017 with initial availability in 2018. The infrastructure had some setbacks that Microsoft said had to do with third-party supplier unable to deliver to specification. It was however expected in 2019.

Yousef Khalidi Corporate Vice President of Azure Networking at the event said; “with the availability of Microsoft’s cloud services delivered from Africa it will mean local companies can securely move their business to the cloud”.

Microsoft becomes the first cloud provider ahead of Amazon and Huawei go to live with its datacenters. The other cloud providers are scheduled to open or run Africa cloud regions.

New Microsoft South Africa Managing Director, Lillian Barnard spoke at the event and had this to share.
Technology is changing the way we live and work. She also says it will ultimately determine how businesses grow and innovate and Africa and Africa will not be left behind. At Microsoft we strongly believe that these substantial development in infrastructure, innovation and skills development will help South Africa navigate the fourth industrial revolution and set the country up for digital success. With today’s announcement we are aiming to accelerate these opportunities“.

Microsoft demonstrates ground breaking technologies at MEFTECH 2019

Microsoft demonstrates ground breaking technologies at MEFTECH 2019

Press Release:
28, February Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Reaffirming its long-standing commitment to drive digital transformation across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Microsoft this week participated as Gold Sponsor at the second edition of MEFTECH 2019 held in Riyadh.

The company highlighted the importance of cloud and Artificial intelligence in the financial services industry and discussed trends and opportunities within the sector.

The two-day event organized by mada and SADAD Payment, showcased different technological solutions focusing on digital economy, blockchain, mobile payments and artificial intelligence within the ecommerce space. Over the years MEFTECH has brought more than 8000 financial services experts and more than 1000 technology providers across Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Saudi Vision 2030 amplifies that sophisticated digital infrastructure is integral part in advancing across industries. Microsoft’s participation at this revolutionizing event, reiterates our support to the government in realizing these ambitions.” said Thamer Alharbi, President, Microsoft Arabia.
“This platform offers the greatest of opportunities for us and our customers to demonstrate the power of AI in the Banking and Financial Services industry. AI and Data is playing an increasing role in digital transformation journeys- delivering the power to engage customers, empower organisations, optimize operations and reinvent the way financial institutions deliver key services to its customers.”

Microsoft experts participated in round table and panel discussions during MEFTECH to highlight new intelligent technologies and their ability to engage, empower, optimise and transform the FSI sector.
Yasar Yilmez, Head of Financial Services, Middle East, Africa, Turkey and Pakistan, lead the round table discussion on innovative business models for banking. Ali Nanji, Industry Principal, Banking & Capital Markets and Insurance, discussed how go-to devices play an important role for consumers in Saudi Arabia and how devices can make an integral part of brand loyalty experience.

Microsoft also showcased its broad range of AI solutions at the company’s booth. Visitors gained the opportunity to get hands-on exposure to some of the most cutting-edge solutions in the industry.