by Sylvester Addo | Mar 31, 2018 | 4Afrika, Editor Picks, General, Microsoft Africa
The Microsoft AppFactory initiative with UNHCR is empowering refugees to create applications that solve real challenges faced by their community
Noah Ndahirwa and his friends are developing a software which will digitalise operations at the Dzaleka Camp Clinic. The clinic like many other rural clinics still work manually.
The Dzaleka Microsoft AppFactory is empowering refugees to create mobile and Windows applications that solve real challenges faced by their community. The apprentices learn from senior software craftsmen. They learn skills that enable economic opportunity, improved livelihoods and a more dignified community.
20 year old Noah Ndahirwa, a refugee from Rwanda says “These are some of the reasons we thank Microsoft and UNHCR for their partnership to set this Connectivity for Refugees Project here at Dzaleka“.
More than 31 refugees and asylum seekers are currently building applications. One such app is the Habari App. Habari app helps new arrivals with information on where to find services and what departments to contact. It also allows users who can’t speak English or Chichewa learn the basics of the language quickly and communicate. Other apps developed include one that automates the distribution of camp food rations.
“People see us as just refugees, implying that we are hopeless people who cannot contribute anything to the communities we live in.
But that is not the case. Granted the opportunity, we can also come up with innovative ideas to our communities. I strongly believe that the knowledge and concepts about software programming and developing I learn at the AppFactory will shape my future in the IT sector. I will put to good use the skills acquired to secure a job or establish my own business” – Grace Kapinga (20), Democratic Republic of Congo
Read more on how Microsoft and UNHCR’s Connectivity for Refugees Project brings Hope to Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi.
by Sylvester Addo | Mar 28, 2018 | 4Afrika, app, General, Microsoft Africa, Microsoft Kenya
Microsoft launches new AppFactory in Nanyuki, Kenya in partnership with Mawingu Networks Ltd
This new partnership with Mawingu Networks will help develop Digital skills, Coding capabilities and employability of graduates in Nanyuki. It will also work with local businesses to develop unique solutions that meet their specific needs.
Microsoft 4Afrika’s initiative focuses on developing world-class skills, access and innovation. Empowering people to turn great ideas into a reality that enhance livelihoods and drive Africa’s digital transformation forward. The Mawingu Networks AppFactory brings the number of Microsoft 4Afrika AppFactories in Africa to 16. The 2nd in Kenya, others in South Africa, Egypt, Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Malawi. Microsoft 4Afrika says last year, over 500 apprentices graduated from AppFactories with 85% securing full-time jobs within three months of graduating. This mostly because they acquire rare skills needed by organisations.
Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative focusses on developing World-class skills, Access and Innovation to empower people to turn great ideas into a reality. This will enhance livelihoods and drive Africa’s digital transformation forward.
This partnership between Mawingu Networks and Microsoft 4Afrika will drive digital transformation in rural town Nanyuki. Equipping graduates of Nanyuki with skills that make them readily employable and effective in organizations.
Selected participants will spend up to six months working with senior software technicians, developing essential workplace skills and the ability to design and implement modern software solutions. After graduating from the programme, apprentices will have access to jobs, both at Mawingu Networks and within its network of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Microsoft 4Afika AppFactory in Nanyuki
“The AppFactory will turn young people into highly competent, in-demand ICT professionals. Local companies, including ourselves, need more of this talent, especially in an increasingly digital world. As a start-up in a small town ourselves, we know how difficult and expensive it can be to hire the right talent. Sometimes that option is not even available to us and we end up having to outsource to other countries” – Tim Hobbs, Director and CEO of Mawingu Networks.
Microsoft 4Africa AppFactory dean, Lutz Ziob shared on Microsoft’s commitment to empowering and extending reach of opportunities to individuals and organizations.
“A lot of skills development programs happen in and around big cities benefitting largely urban youth. By working with an innovative, local company in Nanyuki, we are demonstrating our commitment to extending the reach of opportunities to youth and small businesses across the country. This is in line with our global mission to empower every person and organisation on the planet to achieve more. It also supports Kenya’s 2030 vision. Which aims to become a middle-income country and provide a higher quality of life to all its citizens.” – Lutz Ziob, Dean of the 4Afrika
Mawingu Microsoft 4Afika AppFactory in Nanyuki will solve local specific problems
Programs director of the Mawingu AppFactory shared with me on how disruptive and transformative this will be to local businesses in Nanyuki. She shared about a situation with a farmer who has over 100 workers on his farm, who is concerned about intruders coming in and posing as workers. With this she said a facial recognition solution can be deployed in this instance. Using technology to solve the needs and problems in Nanyuki.
Through the AppFactory program, Mawingu will also seek to scale their use of Microsoft’s Kaizala productive app. Apprentices will be tasked with building custom Kaizala Action Cards and extending the platform via an application programming interface. The Nanyuki AppFactory will be hosted next to Mawingu Network’s headquarters. The first round of apprentices are currently being selected, following an application process.
by Sylvester Addo | Feb 12, 2018 | 4Afrika, General, Microsoft Kenya
The United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa), in collaboration with Microsoft 4Afrika, have launched Kenya’s first AppFactory in Nairobi.
The 1st Microsoft 4Afrika AppFactory in Nairobi, Kenya, Incubation and Innovation Center (I2C) will seek to skill up IT students. This partnership will empower local university graduates with work-ready skills and access to jobs.
It shows in a report that hundreds of students are graduating in ICT. IT companies however are still finding it difficult to recruit graduates who are ready to contribute as software developers without first taking them through extensive on-the-job training.
The United States International University Africa (USIU-Africa) and Microsoft 4Afrika’s collaboration looks to change this. The AppFactory will empower ICT students and graduates with high-level skills in software engineering and provide access to jobs.
Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative focuses on developing world-class skills, access and innovation. Empowering people to turn great ideas into a reality that enhance livelihoods and drive Africa’s digital transformation forward. The announcement of the I2C AppFactory brings the total number of 4Afrika AppFactories in Africa to 14. The others already running in South Africa, Egypt, Rwanda, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Malawi. Microsoft 4Afrika says last year, over 500 apprentices graduated from AppFactories with 85% securing full-time jobs within three months of graduating.
USIU-Africa will host the AppFactory, while Microsoft will provide assistance and access to various platform tools and networks to successfully operate the programme. The I2C AppFactory will target final year ICT students at USIU-Africa and fresh graduates from other universities across the country. The programme will run every six months. 30 students will be selected to become software apprentices, receive training and mentorship.
USIU – Africa and Microsoft 4Afrika collaboration to address competency gap between ICT graduates and employment
The I2C AppFactory shall address the competency gap between ICT graduates and employment. By equipping students with high-level skills in designing, developing, implementing and managing modern software solutions. The initiative will provide an experiential way of learning, encouraging students to develop new skills, attitudes and ways of thinking. In addition, it will provide access to first-grade jobs through the Microsoft Partner Network, increasing the employability of USIU-Africa students and unemployed graduates from other universities who participate in the programme.
Lutz Ziob, Dean, Microsoft 4Afrika Academy
“Graduates from the AppFactory are highly sought-after. Virtually all of them find work – often before they even graduate.
Across Africa, AppFactory students are learning how to build digital solutions in business, finance, healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism and transportation. As they become experienced software engineers working with modern technologies from cloud computing to secure coding, bots and data analytics. Start-ups and corporates are snatching them up. In 2017, 500 students graduated from the Africa AppFactories, with 85% securing full-time jobs within three months of graduation. Others have started their own businesses.” – Lutz Ziob, Dean of the Microsoft 4Afrika Academy
Professor Valarie Palapala Adema, Dean, School of Science and Technology USIU
“USIU-Africa’s mission is to promote knowledge and skills that prepare students for an increasingly technological world. The I2C AppFactory contributes to this mission – as well as to Kenya’s Vision 2030, which aims to improve the capacity of technology graduates in creating an economy fuelled by value-added goods and services.” – Professor Valarie Palapala Adema, the Dean of School of Science and Technology.
Enrolment for the AppFactory is currently on-going and students and recent graduates from universities across Kenya can register to enroll. For more details about the program visit the Incubation and Innovation Center (I2C) page.
by Sylvester Addo | Jan 8, 2018 | General, Microsoft Africa
We look back at a busy past year and share on some of the exciting things by Microsoft in Africa.
From new AppFactory hubs to grant awards, Microsoft continues to show its believe and commitment in the continent. The believe that the African continent will be a game changer in the global economy. In the potential of technology to change Africa and the believe in the potential of Africa to change technology for the world. So how is this happening? By empowering African youths, entrepreneurs, developers, business and civic leaders. Microsoft believes with the support they receive, they’ll turn great ideas into a reality that can help their community, their country, the continent and even beyond Africa.
We point out some of the highlights of Microsoft in Africa over the past year
A maiden event by Africans at Microsoft, leading the conversation on what it means for technology to be innately African. Bringing together technology leaders, innovators and policy makers to exchange ideas pertaining to Africa. It was more of what Microsoft can learn from Africa, creating tools that will be useful to a creator in Africa. A learning curve started by the arrival of Satya Nadella and the Insiders4Good Fellowship in Nigeria. Hopefully we can look forward to another event this year.
It’s been four year since Microsoft decided to renew its vows and commitment to Africa. Yeah that happened lol, and they had a baby too called 4Afrika. The initiative founded on the idea that technology can accelerate growth for Africa and Africa can also accelerate technology for the world. Through Affordable Access Initiative seed grants, AppFactory Academies, providing Skills, Access and Innovation through partner organizations across the continent. Microsoft celebrated the fourth year sharing on some of the successes it has chalked on the way. Read more about the success here.
Microsoft expanded its Azure cloud regions to 40 and two datacenters will be built in Africa. A first by any of the cloud giants. With the new datacenters Microsoft says it will deliver cloud services to power innovation and opportunity for Africa and the world.
Microsoft launched the Insiders4Good initiative, a program designed to help Windows Insiders tackle important issues in their local communities. First cohort was launched in Nigeria and second for the East Africa Community. About 40 ideas were nurtured and groomed to become businesses. Microsoft Windows Insider Chief, Dona Sakar talked about the learning curve that was for them. How they had to build a 2G network back at the Microsoft campus to test builds because of the experiences from Nigeria.
Have there been other initiatives by Microsoft in Africa that you are excited about? Share with us in the comments and forums.
by Sylvester Addo | Oct 14, 2017 | 4Afrika, Editor Picks, General, Internship, Microsoft Africa
Edwin Maye shares his experience of being selected for an Interns4Afrika internship program. On how amazing the opportunity was and doors that opened and have opened.
The Microsoft Interns4Afrika internship program offers young individuals a unique experience with a Microsoft partner organization in your home country. Microsoft believes this is a great way to kick start your future. With six months working with a real company, on real projects learning and applying new skills.
When I joined the university in September 2014 for a BSc. Computer Science degree at Moi University I had no idea what Computer Science was. In fact, I thought I had just wasted my “A” grade score in High School. I took time to get myself convinced that this was a dollar course.
When I met Somet, the 4Afrika official in Kenya, he enlighten me on the 4Afrika program. I learnt of the 4Afrika Internship program and I was so interested in joining the program just after i finish my fourth year.(The Interns4Afrika internship program requests that applicants should be a graduate).
In 2016 between July and August, I received an email from the 4Afrika team requesting me to apply for the 2016-2017 internship program. I had just finished my second year at the university. I applied though with no much expectation since I was not yet a graduate as required.
A month later I received a call from Lucy of the 4Afrika Team who informed me that I had qualified for the internship and that I was going to be contacted by a Microsoft Partner organization for my interview. I was so happy. That was a BOOM!
The Internship Opportunity
I received interview requests from two Microsoft Partner organiations, E-Momentum Systems and Magtech Solutions. Both based in Nairobi, Kenya. I felt great. I had the Magtech Interview first and made it. When the second Microsoft partner called, I had already received an appointment letter from Magtech Solutions.
Since my first day at work for my internship, I really learnt and gained a lot. Team work being the most important of all. My professional aspect of life has grown better than before. From writing to field work, that is technical aspect with Microsoft Azure and Office 365.
The Microsoft 4Afrika Sales and Technical Trainings empowered me so much. The trainers were great and we could exchange ideas and engage positively during the training sessions.
One of the epic training was the Microsoft 3 day Office 365 Training that took place in Nairobi at Microsoft offices. The trainers, Charles and Ben from the United Kingdom were great and resourceful.
During my Internship, I got a client during my freelancing side hustles who wanted to have a marketing file that would be something like an “offline website” which would be used by their sales team instead of using a mobile app or having brochures. At first I had no idea but I took the job.
I managed to have it done and to me this was one of the greatest achievement I made during the internship. I am looking forward to having more clients in the near future. The pay was good!
I represented Magtech Solutions Ltd at the NexTech Africa event held in Nairobi. A 2 day meeting of the minds designed to engage, empower, inspire and see African technology creators building it for Africa.
Currently am back to school for my third year semester and looking forward to working at Microsoft and 4Afrika in the near future. I thank the Microsoft 4Afrika team for their support all through and I am glad to have gained more than I anticipated.
Edwin has only finished his 3rd year and had an amazing Interns4Afrika experience. The applications are opened from time to time.
