Ethiopian Airlines flies to 117 destinations worldwide carrying 11 million passengers over 5 continents annually. In answer to providing its customers with the maximum experiences the company setup an innovation program embracing Microsoft technologies. To take care of customer service, operational excellence and revenue increments.
Listen to Ethiopia Airline’s Director of Digital, Miretab Teklaye talk about using Microsoft Azure to power their innovation program. Receiving all the necessary support from Microsoft engineers and experts for the digital innovation program to thrive.
These technological advancements are so important to create a better life for a self-sufficient Africa.
Yohannes Berhanemeskel
Microsoft AppFactory Academy
Last year Ethiopian airlines and Microsoft 4Afrika partnered to open an AppFactory academy. This the airline says the ICT skills Development Programme has created jobs for Ethiopian graduates.
“Digital transformation is about implementing technology advancements and cultural changes. The technical capacity and skills of the youth, as engines of growth and transformation, is critical to render the country more competitive. Through programmes like 4Afrika, Microsoft remains committed to investing in and developing relevant skills and competencies across the continent.
Amrote Abdella, Regional Director Microsoft 4Afrika
“Every industry in Africa is being transformed and disrupted by technology and air transportation is no exception. Airlines are using technology to better understand their customers and offer a more personalized flying experience. We need more young people with skills in modern technology to drive this kind of innovation and transformation. We believe the partnership with Microsoft will play a fundamental role in strengthening the link between universities and industries, so as to improve the quality of skills and access to jobs.”
Tewolde Gebremariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines.
Do you want to be a developer and are passionate about cloud computing? Here’s an opportunity to be Microsoft certified in Azure. You will also get the chance to join the Microsoft AppFactory apprentice program.
The Microsoft AppFactory in Nanyuki, Kenya is giving an opportunity to get Microsoft certified in Azure Fundamentals AZ-900. It is also giving an opportunity to be shortlisted to join their AppFactory if you pass the exams.
Learn about deploying virtual machines, web applications, Iaas, PaaS, SaaS, etc. on Microsoft’s Azure cloud service. Get learning resources, Azure credit and a voucher to write the exams worth about twenty five thousand Kenyan Shillings.
Click the link for more details and apply if you are interested in this opportunity.
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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.”
Equity Equivalent Investment Programme to drive digital transformation and create economic empowerment in South Africa.
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 Barnard “these 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 signs MoU with Ministry of ICT & National Guidance Uganda
Microsoft has signed a partnership with the Ugandan ministry of ICT in what it calls strategic. The partnership, Microsoft says aims to create a sustainable, scalable project and initiatives that will leverage Microsoft technologies. The Uganda Ministry of ICT and National Guidance also believes the MoU with Microsoft will help support Ugandan Innovators under their National ICT Initiatives Support Program.
“Microsoft EA has signed a strategic MoU with Ministry of ICT & National Guidance UG that aims to create sustainable, scalable project & initiatives that will leverage Microsoft technologies & expertise to transform Uganda’s innovation landscape for socio-economic development.” Angela Nganga – Government Affairs Lead Middle East and Africa, Microsoft
Uganda’s Ministry of ICT says one of the objectives for signing the MOU is to “support the development of next generation applications“. It hope to achieve this, “by building technical expertise that spur innovation through initiatives such as the Microsoft App Factory Program“.
Uganda’s National ICT Initiatives Support Programme (NIISP) was setup to facilitate the creation of an ICT Innovation ecosystem and marketplace for Ugandan innovative digital products. The NIISP also aims at facilitating growth and development of the software applications and innovations industry in Uganda.
