Can you believe it? It’s been 30 years since Microsoft opened its first office in Africa. That’s right, 30 years of empowering Africans with technology, innovation and skills. 30 years of making a difference in education, health, agriculture and more. 30 years of being part of the continent’s amazing journey.
But we’re not here to brag. We’re here to celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than with some fun facts about Microsoft in Africa? Here are some of the highlights from our three decades of presence and impact:
Did you know that Microsoft was the first global tech company to launch a datacenter region in Africa? That’s right, we beat Google and Amazon to it. And we didn’t stop there. We also launched the first cloud services from Africa, enabling businesses and organizations to access world-class technology and innovation locally.
Did you know that Microsoft has trained over 1.7 million young Africans in digital skills since 2013? That’s more than the population of Gambia. And we’re not done yet. We’re committed to reaching 4 million more by 2023, through our flagship programs like 4Afrika, YouthSpark and DigiGirlz.
Did you know that Microsoft has supported over 500 startups in Africa, helping them grow and scale their businesses? That’s more than the number of lions in Kenya. And we’re not just talking about funding. We’re talking about mentorship, technical support, access to markets and customers, and more.
Did you know that Microsoft has partnered with over 200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Africa, helping them leverage technology for social good? That’s more than the number of countries in the world. And we’re not just talking about donations. We’re talking about co-creating solutions, sharing best practices, and empowering communities.
These are just some of the facts that make us proud of our work in Africa. But we know that we couldn’t have done it without you. You are the ones who inspire us, challenge us, and collaborate with us. You are the ones who make Africa what it is today: a vibrant, diverse, and dynamic continent.
So thank you for being part of our journey. Thank you for trusting us with your dreams and aspirations. Thank you for letting us be part of your story.
Mint Group, a Microsoft Gold IT consultancy and systems integrator is the 2022 Microsoft Partner of the Year country Award winner in South Africa. The company receives the award for providing outstanding solutions and services in South Africa.
The company is among other Microsoft partners from across the globe who received recognition for demonstrating excellence in innovation and implementation of customer solutions based on Microsoft technology within their respective countries. Mint is part of nine other organizations to receive recognition for the Microsoft Partner country award this year from Africa.
“I am honoured to announce the winners and finalists of the 2022 Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards,” said Nick Parker, corporate vice-president of Global Partner Solutions at Microsoft.
“These partners were outstanding among the exceptional pool of nominees, and I’m continuously impressed by their innovative use of Microsoft Cloud technologies and the impact for their customers.”
The Microsoft Partner of the Year Awards recognises Microsoft partners that have developed and delivered outstanding Microsoft-based applications, services and devices during the past year. Awards were classified in various categories, with honourees chosen from a set of more than 3 900 submitted nominations from more than 100 countries worldwide.
“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award for the second time in four years, particularly in a country that has such a highly competitive partner landscape,” says Mint Group CEO, Carel du Toit.
“As an organisation, we strive for consistency and innovation. A win pre- and post-COVID demonstrates that we have been successful in adapting to changing circumstances and evolving our business to meet shifting demands.”
Mint Group is a cloud solution provider (CSP) with expertise across all three Microsoft Clouds – Azure, Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365. Mint crafts industry solutions to help improve customer experiences, increase agility, improve operational efficiency and accelerate the digital transformation journey with AI and cognitive services for businesses and government institutions globally.
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