by Sylvester Addo | May 8, 2018 | 4Afrika, General
Microsoft 4Afrika GM joins others in the Digital Transformation conversations at Transformation Africa 2018
Microsoft 4Afrika General Manager Amrote Abdella joined other panelist at this years Transform Africa Summit 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. Joining the conversation on, Is digital connectivity an enabler and a foundation? during the Transform Africa’s Economic Forum. The broader discussion was Digital revolution; how can we ensure it is both an enabler and foundation for the transformation that is inclusive for everyone in Africa.
She said for us to have economic integration, we first need to start with technology consecration. For us to actually be able to do that we have to start with policy integration.
For all of the work we’ve done at Microsoft over the last five years in relation to last mile access, we have brought on board 500,00 SMEs online. With our TV whitespaces program we have launched 16 of them in 5 countries.
“We need to create an ecosystem
where affordable access to technology becomes a reality
and is all inclusive” – Amrote Abdella
Microsoft believes digital transformation is necessary to remain relevant and competitive in the future. It unlocks huge potential in an individual, in organizations and at the country level. Maturing on the digital transformation journey includes implementing both technology advancements and cultural changes, resulting in new business model or industry disruption.
We need to create an ecosystem where affordable access to technology becomes a reality and is all inclusive. Partnerships alone isn’t enough . It’s instrumental to get the right policies in place to make the single digital market a reality.
How do we build capacities and right skills as well as enabling environment for the youth, startups and entrepreneurs to thrive and become globally competitive ? Technology plays a critical role. In Africa, we anticipate digital transformation to support economic growth and drive entrepreneurship.
by Sylvester Addo | Apr 1, 2018 | 4Afrika, General, Interns4Afrika
In Kigali, Rwanda and looking to build some work experience with Real opportunity, Real experience and Real training? The Microsoft 4Afrika Skills #Interns4Afrika Internship initiative does just that.
Are you looking for a way to kick start your career? Looking to build some work experience in a thriving environment? The Interns4Afrika internship program offers young people with a unique experience. One that is dynamic and agile with organizations on the African continent.
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
With this offer you will work for 6 months with a Microsoft partner organization in Kigali, Rwanda on real projects. You’ll collaborate and learn from your colleagues. Have more question to ask about the Interns4Afrika program, check out the FAQ’s.
World-Class Skills
is about Microsoft’s plans to help Africans develop skills
for entrepreneurship and improved employability and competitiveness.
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.
Internship in Kigali, Rwanda
Do not apply if you :
– Are not a Rwandan citizen
– Have not completed your degree
– Are employed
Click to apply for internships in Sales Internship. Click to find out more information and apply.
Have you had a previous experience? Are you going to apply? Talk to us in the comments. Also kindly share, you might save or help someone’s career.
by Sylvester Addo | Dec 25, 2017 | 4Afrika, General, Internship, Microsoft Africa
In Kigali, Rwanda and looking to build some work experience with Real opportunity, Real experience and Real training? The Microsoft 4Afrika Skills #Interns4Afrika Internship initiative does just that.
Are you looking for a way to kick start your career? Looking to build some work experience in a thriving environment? The Interns4Afrika internship program offers young people with a unique experience. One that is dynamic and agile with organizations on the African continent.
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
With this offer you will work for 6 months with a Microsoft partner organization in Kigali, Rwanda on real projects. You’ll collaborate and learn from your colleagues. Have more question to ask about the Interns4Afrika program, check out the FAQ’s.
World-Class Skills
is about Microsoft’s plans to help Africans develop skills
for entrepreneurship and improved employability and competitiveness.
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.
Internship in Kigali, Rwanda
Do not apply if you :
– Are not a Rwandan citizen
– Have not completed your degree
– Are employed
Click to apply for internships in Sales Internship. Click to find out more information and apply.
Have you had a previous experience? Are you going to apply? Talk to us in the comments. Also kindly share, you might save or help someone’s career.
by Sylvester Addo | Jul 21, 2016 | 4Afrika, Events, General, Microsoft Africa, Microsoft Ghana, Microsoft Nigeria
Microsoft held it’s annual Worldwide Partners Conference in Toronto, Canada this month. The event is held yearly to appreciate the efforts of it’s partners in delivering Microsoft Services around the world.
Microsoft Partners in Africa have ben honoured locally and internationally by the Microsoft teams in Africa and Redmond. There was the Worldwide Partners Conference and the Hounouring Our Partners Awards ceremony held in Lagos.
“These partners and their award nominations were truly exceptional, and their accomplishments should be viewed as examples of excellence for every Microsoft partner. Their achievements have enabled clients to perform sufficiently and have given a unique level of autonomy to businesses that was just not possible before,” says Amr Kamel, General Manager (acting) for Microsoft WECA.
Of the many Microsoft Partners around the world 6 of them operating in Africa received recognition. These were honoured as the country Partner of the year at the Worldwide Partner Conference 2016;
- Softnet (Country Partner of The Year – Burkina Faso)
SOFTNET has been working with Microsoft in improving the e-gov project with the EPG team. They also worked with the EPG team in the SIGU project.
- INOVA (Country Partner of The Year – Côte d’Ivoire)
INOVA specialized in software development, system integration, networking infrastructure and Training. INOVA have been a Microsoft Certified Partner and training center (CPLS) since 2004. They are the first gold partner in The Cloud productivity in Cote d’Ivoire.
- Business Connexion Namibia (Pty) Ltd. (Country Partner of The Year – Namibia)
Business Connexion Namibia (Pty) Ltd continuously use Microsoft platform products and solutions to build innovation ICT solutions for their customers. Partners such as Business Connexion play a vital role in growing Microsoft’s footprint in countries such as Namibia through their focus Microsoft approach.
- Signal Alliance (Country Partner of The Year – Nigeria)
Signal Alliance are the most Cloud Competent partner in the ecosystem, accomplishing 1 Gold Cloud and 2 silver competencies this year. In FY16 they displayed a high level of commitment to our Cloud Transformation Journey, which is evident in their performance till date.
- Dimension Data (Country Partner of The Year – Rwanda)
Through consistent and strategic customer Engagement, Dimension Data have been able to “win over Rwanda as a country”. Working together with Microsoft, Dimension Data closed the 1st ever full Cloud banking deal in Rwanda, Bank of Kigali. Dimension Data is currently also engaged in the deployment of Office 365 Edu at the ministry of Education. A large transformative project that will impact millions of students.
- FTF (Country Partner of The Year – Senegal)
FTF is a solutions provider in complementary areas of computing covering cloud services, the design and the implementation of Basic Infrastructure services, infrastructure services supporting productivity, infrastructure services supporting the application platform, security, training, and support.
- Dimension Data (Country Partner of The Year – Tanzania)
Dimension Data has shown key strengths in understanding the Tanzania market therefore selecting strategically which sectors to play in. Dimension Data has been able to achieve significant progress in positioning additional products like share point.
At the Honouring Our Partner Awards ceremony the following companies received awards;
Microsoft West, East and Central Africa (WECA) also rewarded their Microsoft Partners for excellence in specific competencies:
- Techno Brain (Kenya) for application development
- eSolutions Consulting (Ghana) for cloud packaged solutions and education
- Dimension Data Solutions (Kenya) for communications and cloud productivity
- The Cloud Factory EMEA (Mauritius) received the data platform award as well as the data analytics award along with Currimjee Informatics (Mauritius)
- Full Technologies Formations (Senegal) received an award for hybrid cloud and infrastructure
- M-KOPA Solar (Kenya) received the Internet of Things (IoT) award
- ComputerPride (Kenya) got the learning award
- M2M Systems (Kenya) received the small and midmarket cloud solutions award
- Inova Solutions got the Windows and devices deployment award
- Elytis (Mauritius) was named distributor of the Year
- Eclectics International (Kenya) received the Microsoft Dynamics Industry award
- Novabase (Mozambique) received the government award
The Microsoft 4Afrika team received a special award for their contributions in upskilling interns and facilitating the MySkills4Afrika volunteer programme to bring skills from across Microsoft into Africa.
Finally, VeriPark received the General Manager Award for their partnership with Microsoft in developing products that drive great service and meet customers’ business needs.
Source: Microsoft Africa
by Sylvester Addo | Sep 15, 2015 | 4Afrika, General
10 Ghanaian students were selected to take part in the WiSci STEAM Camp 2015 in Rwanda and Anne Marie Abban Demitrus shares her experience about the event.
That was when my perspective totally changed. I have since developed a keen interest in the sciences and opened up to the limitless opportunities available. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but now I think I’ll try my hands on computer engineering first. – Anne-Marie
Women in Science (WiSci) STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), WiSci STEAM Camp is an event organized by the U.S. Department of State, Microsoft 4Afrika, Intel, AOL Charitable Foundation, the United Nations Foundation’s Girl Up campaign, and the Rwanda Girls Initiative, with support from Meridian International Center, the Rwandan Ministry of Education, the African Leadership Academy, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network. The WiSci camp is part of the Let Girls Learn initiative, launched by the White House to open the doors of education for girls around the world. The STEAM camp (STEM + Art & Design) was established to tackle the gender imbalance in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) globally.
“Did you know that although 74 percent of girls in middle school express an interest in STEM-related fields, only 0.3 percent end up pursuing a college degree in computer science?”
Here is Anne Marie’s account of her experience, (you can see Anne-Marie talk about a technology to help with the Accra floods situation she worked on as a project in the video below between 1’18-1’53);
Me? Science camp? Me? Wow! I smiled to myself. These were the very thoughts that ran through my head when I was informed that I would be attending the first ever Wisci STEAM camp for girls in Rwanda, with several sponsors including Girl up, Intel and Microsoft. You see, I am… no sorry, was, an art inclined student. I loved everything that had at least a shred of the concept of self-expression. I mean I would be in a literature class and babble about how the writer of a particular poem felt isolated and empty inside and yearned to find a connection with the outside world to remedy his deep heartfelt anguish, when the line simply read, ‘I stared into the distance.’ That was my life. I was on top of my art class, loved English and couldn’t bear to part with French orals.
Three weeks changed all of that.
‘Oh my goodness. We’re here! We’re finally here!’ screamed the ever hyper Isabelle Quaye. ‘Isabelle shut up!’ came the tired replies of all the rest of the Ghanaians who tumbled out of the Kenya Airways aircraft on to the tarmac. Fatigued as we were one fact was undeniable, we were all secretly thrilled but somewhat skeptical to be here. When we finished the whole procedure and got to baggage claim, I suddenly straightened up and quickly brushed down my jeans. There was MAN CANDY in the house!! An extremely gorgeous Middle Eastern guy had joined the queue. Then (as expected!) a squabble broke out. We girls started arguing over who was going to be the future wife of Mr. Smoking Hot. Ten girls fighting over one guy who did not even look at us twice. Then something hit me- we were not going to see any boys for the next three weeks! Lord help us.
The first week was the Microsoft week. I honestly wasn’t looking forward to it. I half expected to walk into the class and see written on the board: INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT EXCEL… or something of that sort. Instead, I met this young bashful female trainer with a very cheery look who welcomed us with, ‘hey girls are you excited to learn about KODU?’ Momentary Pause. Rewind. Play. Err… k-ko-what? A gaming application it was, designed to allow the user to create either an animation or a game or even both depending on the user’s preference which excluded the intricate complications of actual game coding. And so my fellow readers, we spent the next five days drowning in the need to understand a whole gaming application full of commands and ,’when KODU sees apple, DO, EAT’. The classes were fun and quite stressful, no lie about that, but that was when I actually began to see myself doing things like this. I didn’t notice it at first but after the frustrations of the frozen computers, and crashing applications, I realized that I did experience joy during those five days. Was my perception changing? Could I develop a love for the sciences?
Then there was the Intel week. Our trainer informed us that we would be working with C++. Ah, I said to myself, this is a programming langu… My smile dropped. I knew next to nothing about programming languages! I told myself the week was going to be hard. As it turned out, the week was actually the best for me. I enjoyed working with programmable boards, drawing up codes for sensors and LED lights and arguing about codes written. My trainer even said smiling,’You will definitely be a software engineer!’ and to crown it all, the project my team developed, won the best prize for Technical Rigor.
That was when my perspective totally changed. I have since developed a keen interest in the sciences and opened up to the limitless opportunities available. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, but now I think I’ll try my hands on computer engineering first.
Even with the several countries represented, I think I got first hand insight into how technology works in the various countries. I didn’t even know that in Rwanda there is a portable device which checks your blood pressure level as well as your cholesterol level. HA! Bet you didn’t even know either! I was able to understand that even in developing technologies, you also have to consider the culture of the society you are developing for, because just maybe you might create something you think is the ultimate solution but when implemented, might just pose as another problem for the citizens and indigenes. I mean how insightful is that?
Moving on… Did you know that in terms of leadership qualities, I am a lion? Yes. I am. I like to be in total control of things and of course, I exude confidence. This I found out during a leadership workshop at camp. I will never forget the time when I was put into a group with fellow lions. We were then given a very simple task and asked to execute it. Oh but we argued like professional attorneys. I for one was the main participant. I then learnt that it’s just how you go about things that make a difference with the work relationship you form with people.
This eye-opening advantage is one I wish that every girl in the world should be given. If I hadn’t gone for this camp, I would have missed out on the strong bonds formed, the laughter, the knowledge shared, the tears when camp ended and finally, these very dear memories I will forever hold and cherish.
Source: Huffingtonpost
