by MCGH Admin | Mar 20, 2019 | 4Afrika, General
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.”
by Sylvester Addo | Sep 29, 2018 | 4Afrika, General, Microsoft Africa, Startup
Microsoft sponsors DEMO Africa 2018, as it seeks to support African Startups
DEMO Africa 2018 is set to take place in Morocco and Microsoft is a lead sponsor of the event. Taking place October 18-19th 2018 in Casablanca and hosted by the African Technology Foundation.
30 startup finalists from across Africa will showcase their innovations to an audience of investors, corporate acquirers and strategic partners. Five finalists will qualify for the Lions Innovation Tour of Silicon Valley.
Since the introduction of 4Afrika Initiative back in 2013, Microsoft has partnered and supported programs that aim at developing startups. This year won’t be any different as Microsoft continues to support DEMO Africa.
Speaking on the partnership Microsoft’s Africa Startup Lead, Tarik Hilali, said; “the engagement forms part of Microsoft 4Afrika’s continent-wide commitment to empower local technology startups. By providing them with access to technology, information, markets, finance, skills and services“.
Microsoft’s partnership with Demo Africa and others like it, it says are to create an environment where key role players are working together to support startup needs.
“Microsoft 4Afrika is actively empowering SMEs and startups in Africa to digitally transform. Ensuring they are more profitable, sustainable, scalable and competitive“. – Tarik Hilali, Africa Startup Lead – Microsoft
Through the Microsoft 4Afrika initiative, Microsoft reports 64 startups have received financing. It also shares 100 other startups across the region have received direct mentorship and technical supports.
Tarik shared on how Microsoft will be involved at Demo Africa 2018. Microsoft will be involved in speaking sessions, hosting hands-on workshops for finalists and providing technical and financial support for the conference. “Microsoft 4Afrika also uses DEMO Africa as a platform to identify and recruit high-potential startups into its own investment network”.
Silicon Valley will be at DEMO Africa 2018
This year organizers of the event say it will receive leading Venture Capitalists from Silicon Valley. They will seek to explore investment opportunities, broaden their knowledge of the African startup ecosystems as well as share best practices on global venture creation during the event.
“The 2018 edition of DEMO Africa will also include the Ecosystem Enabler Series. A combination of keynotes, panels and fireside chats that will yield productive dialogue between industry leaders and innovation actors about the future of the African technology ecosystem; the Investor Round-tables and Angel Investor Summit”
Interested in attending? Get a ticket for the event here.
by Sylvester Addo | Dec 25, 2017 | 4Afrika, General, Internship, Microsoft Africa
Are you looking for a way to kick start your career? Looking to build some work experience in a thriving environment? The Microsoft 4Afrika Skills #Interns4Afrika Internship Africa initiative does just that.
The Interns4Afrika internship program offers talented young people a unique experience with a dynamic and agile technology organization on the African continent. Whether you’re aspiring for a future in sales, marketing or technology, this is your chance to kick-start your future. – Microsoft 4Afrika
There are Microsoft Interns4Afrika Internship Africa opportunities all across Africa
Do you live in Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritius, Rwanda, Nigeria, Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Zambia, Morocco and Cameroon? Get to be an IT Support Tech, Sales or Marketing intern.
Microsoft says, as a leader in platform and productivity for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, we believe in what people make possible. Our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
“The Microsoft 4Afrika initiative has enabled us to link our growth with approaches that accelerate growth for the continent in three critical areas of development. World-class skills, Access and Innovation. Each of these focuses on different aspects that will help empower African youth, entrepreneurs, developers and business and civic leaders. To turn great ideas into a reality that can help their community, their country, the continent and beyond.”
“World-Class Skills is about Microsoft plans to develop a Self-sustaining, world-class education platform, both online and offline, to help Africans develop skills for entrepreneurship and improved employability and competitiveness.
Microsoft in partnership with the host organization will offer you a unique opportunity to kick start your career. The internship program will provide you with a real-world work experience and new skills while working for a leading technology organization on the African continent”.
With this offer you will work for 6 months with a Microsoft partner organization on real projects. You’ll collaborate and learn from your colleagues. For more question about the Interns4Afrika program, check out the FAQ’s
A few things you need to note to avoid being disqualified.
Your application will be disqualified if you fail to reveal or disclose truthful information.
Do not apply if you:
- Are not a citizen of the specified country
- Have not completed your degree
- Are employed
- Have not completed your National Service
Kindly click on links below to apply on the Microsoft 4Afrika Interns4Afrika page. Sign up and fill away.
Algeria
Algiers, Algeria
Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia
Cameroon
Morocco
Casablanca, Morocco
Malawi
Blantyre, Malawi
Mauritius
Quatre Bornes,Mauritius
Moka, Mauritius
All the best to you as you apply. If you do get in, come back and share the experience with us?
by Sylvester Addo | Jul 10, 2017 | Events, General, Imagine Cup, Microsoft Africa
Team Morocco will be representing Africa at the 2017 Microsoft Imagine Cup World Finals. The only surviving African team in the world finals. They’ll be looking to make Africa proud by winning the championship with their idea.
The 2017 Imagine Cup World Finals will take place on the 27th of July at the Microsoft campus in Redmond. 54 teams from around the globe will present their innovations for the chance to win the ultimate prize package. It isn’t going to be any easy. These are the best innovations picked from the finals of the various regions across the globe. Team E-Park from Morocco qualified through the Middle East and Africa competition held in Lebanon.
This year marks the 15th year of the competition. With such high stakes, there is also over $ 200,000 in prizes to be won. This is double the prize package from previous years. The winner of the competition will receive $100,000, a mentoring session with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, a $120,000 Azure Grant and a trip to Microsoft Build 2018 developer conference.
It’s a bit disappointing not to see the other qualifiers from Uganda and South Africa make it through to the finals.
Team E-Park presents for Africa at 2017 Microsoft Imagine Cup World Finals
So what is Team E-Park’s idea? It’s a web and mobile-based solution to finding a parking space. Read more about the team and their project here.
You would be able to see the parking space in real time, know which ones are taken, and which ones are free and head straight there. Not only that but you’d also be able to reserve the empty parking space ahead of your arrival. Other features include keeping track of your car in the parking lot, and in app parking service payment.
Microsoft Executive Vice President, Cloud and Enterprise group Scott Guthrie will be the Host of the event. Also, Microsoft’s Windows Insider chief Donar Sarkar will be a coach and will mentor at the championship.
Other teams from the Middle East and Africa region will be presenting for the ultimate prize. That’s teams Green Jam (UAE), Bl!nk (Lebanon), DocStroke (Jordan), Beta (Oman) and WaCoMo(Qatar).
Last year teams from Tunisia did quite well, making it to the last round of the competition but didn’t win the title. Other teams from last year were from Nigeria and South Africa.
The Imagine Cup Championship will be live via a webcast at 9 a.m. PDT on July 27. We’ll do well to have it available on the page so bookmark this page and come watch it live.
Excited about Africa at 2017 Microsoft Imagine cup world finals? Let’s hear what you think in the comments.
