Are you using genuine software on your PC? Probably not. Microsoft made a shocking revelation at the launch event of the Windows PC Affordability in Africa Initiative. An initiative aimed at providing affordable Windows products to reduce software piracy in emerging markets such as Africa.
The revelation came out when Deniz Ozen, Regional General Manager, Consumer and Device Sales, Microsoft Middle East & Africa, was talking about increase in malware attacks in the region. He notes that “as per our estimates, only a third of PCs being shipped into Africa include genuine software”. Because of this, data breaches and malware attacks have increased significantly, resulting in loss of important data and decreased productivity,”
According to Microsoft, more than half of the devices shipped into the Middle East and Africa run pirated Windows software. With Africa, experiencing a higher percentage. To put it in context, two thirds of devices shipped and sold in Africa don’t run on genuine software.
Even when it comes to those who try to buy genuine products, Microsoft says the pirated software is often installed without the end users knowledge. Leaving these users to suffer the consequences, which include data loss and unusable PCs.
A pirated version of Windows puts both PCs and people’s data at risk
Microsoft discloses, its goal is to “empower people to do great things on a Windows PC”. The company however says “a pirated version of Windows puts both PCs and people’s data at risk“.
A report by The Software Alliance reveals the overall rate of pirated software across the Middle East and Africa is 56 percent. Libya and Zimbabwe rate as countries with the highest users of unlicensed software in the region.
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Microsoft Commercial Partners Lead SA, Lionel Moyal has assured partners that Microsoft will continue to invest in the Africa datacenters. He was speaking to Microsoft partners at the fy19 South Africa partner awards in Johannesburg.
He shared Microsoft’s commitments to about three hundred Microsoft partners.
Microsoft will continue to invest in and grow the services in the local datacenters. While skills development remains a key priority for the organisation. In our industry, partnership is everything. Thanks to your work, together we can support organisations and businesses to thrive in this Fourth Industrial Revolution.
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Check out other stories making the news in the technology ecosystem in Africa and the Middle East.
Former Windows and Windows phone partner architect returns to the company as Managing Director in new Microsoft initiative in Nigeria.
Gafar Lawal will lead the Microsoft Africa cognition team as Managing Director. Helping the team based in Lagos develop a suite of mixed reality and artificial intelligence cloud services. These will be Azure services that power new augmented reality experiences for Microsoft’s mixed reality platform.
“I am looking forward to embarking on this incredible new journey with the Microsoft team and effectively playing my part in bringing digital transformation to the continent at large. I hope that as we continue to not only identify and nurture talent but also bring about unprecedented change, that we will continue to aid every individual involved to achieve more.”
Gafar Lawal, MD Microsoft ADC Nigeria
Gafar Lawal worked at Microsoft for six years. Serving as Partner Architect in the Windows server group and Windows phone services division. Before moving on to take up the role of Managing Director and Global Chief Technology Architect for the Wealth Management Division of Morgan Stanley. He spent ten years as First Vice President and Chief Technology Architect at Merrill Lynch.
Microsoft says Africa Development Centre engineers are already working with local partners and customers on key issues. Furthermore new graduates and experienced technologists will be able to join the Microsoft Africa Development Centre site in Lagos. To begin or continue exciting careers in areas that include AI, mixed reality and application development.
Data enthusiasts from Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, etc. get the opportunity to improve their skills. Earning an accredited data science certificate by completing the Microsoft Professional Program in Data Science.
169 out of 374 enrolled participants have completed the required modules. They will go on to receive a Microsoft Professional Program in Data Science certification when they complete the final project.
DataHack4FI is an initiative by Insight2impact (i2i) to drive data science digital skills development for African youths. Providing a platform that encourages data enthusiasts across Africa to use data and data analytics to solve challenges experienced by individuals or communities.
Microsoft and Liquid telecom are sponsoring Season 3 of DataHack4FI. Data enthusiasts will get an opportunity to take the $999 Microsoft Professional Program for free. While Liquid telecom will host the Microsoft Professional Program for Data Science on its 21st Century Skills for Africa platform.
DataHack4FI says top performers will be paired with an emerging technology company. To collaborate in the design of innovative products and services that advance financial or economic inclusion.
Africa’s largest telecoms and technology event gets bigger. We highlight what you can look forward to at AfricaCom 2019.
AfricaCom has grown to become the trade show to look forward to yearly in Africa. I’m sure it can be called the African version of; GITEX Technology Week, CES, IFA Berlin, COMPUTEX TAIPIE, etc. It can be argued, but this is the closest event i know that brings the ecosystem together.
It will bring together individuals and organizations in the African technology and telecommunication ecosystem. Highlighting the accelerating digital transformation taking place across various sectors of the continent. With organizations showcasing latest innovations and technologies. The event takes place in a mashup of conference and exhibition setting in Cape Town, South Africa.
AfricaCom 2019 will see the introduction of a new event; AfricaTech, focused on enterprise digital transformation. This year other global events will co-locate with AfricaCom. These include AI Summit, Internet of Things World, Data Centrer World and AfricaTech.
Activities to look forward to are;
The AHUB – Connecting tech Start-ups, Corporates and Investors
Women in Tech – The Women in Tech Centre Stage Takeover
AfricaTech DemoPods – Interactive showcase of disruptive technologies
KeyNotes
AfricaCom 2019 will have many activities taking place simultaneously across Cape Town Convention Center 1 and 2. Using the event guide helps you decide on the events you are most interested in attending. As well as navigate the event center.
You will want to check out the dedicated technology zones. The Zone is dedicated to Internet of Things, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Cloud Computing.
